Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Ukraine will not accept a mineral agreement with the United States if it threatens the country’s bid for European Union membership, Brussels-based Politico reported.
“The Ukrainian Constitution clearly states that our course is toward the EU… There are very important reforms and corresponding steps,” Zelensky said at a press conference in Kyiv.
His remarks come after reports from Bloomberg and Financial Times detailing a U.S. proposal that would grant American companies access to Ukraine’s oil, gas, and minerals through a joint investment fund, with revenues shared between the two countries.
Zelensky confirmed that Kyiv has officially received a new draft of the proposed U.S. agreement, which includes “many new provisions that were not previously discussed” and “some aspects that were already rejected by both sides.”
The European Commission will assess the deal’s text, which could grant preferential treatment to American firms, once a formal written agreement is reached, said Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho.
“Such an agreement should be considered within the context of Ukraine-EU relations, particularly regarding accession negotiations,” Pinho added.
