Without $500 billion in debt and full US ownership: Zelenskyy tells about the details of the first deal on fossil fuels

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that a framework agreement on natural resources has been agreed between the United States and Ukraine. However, the document does not contain any provisions on Ukraine's debt – neither $500 billion nor any other amount – nor on the full transfer of Ukrainian resources to US ownership. At the same time, another document will be developed in the future to regulate the activities of the Recovery Investment Fund.

The Head of State said this during a conversation with the media. He emphasized that the agreed document does not require ratification by the Parliament.

"The most important thing for me was that we are not in debt. Regardless of what is being said in the media, the agreement does not include a debt of 500 billion, 350, or even 100. That would be unfair to us," Zelenskyy said.

In his words, the revised agreement is "highly appreciated" by Ukrainian government officials, increasing its chances of success.

"It could work. I haven't seen the complete final version yet. ... But the key points I raised are represented quite decently," the president stated.

Ukraine and the United States will be partners

An important aspect of the agreement, Zelenskyy emphasized, is that Ukraine and the United States will work as partners within its framework. That is, the future fund will be "Ukrainian-American."

"After all, these are our resources, we are ready to talk about partnership. It is important that there are "partners," and this fund is "Ukrainian-American," not "American," he said.

However, the President admitted that it is too early to talk about specific amounts, as the fund will receive "money from new things, not from the past."

"Today, you cannot reimburse anything there because there is no corresponding agreement. It will be more complicated and serious because it is about the fund. It will already have partnerships, money, and it will already have mandatory ratification in the Ukrainian parliament," Zelenskyy explained.

At the same time, he noted, the future agreement will not contain a provision stating that for every dollar from the United States, Ukraine must give back 2. "I believe that this was an inconsequential clause," the president emphasized.

Ukraine and the US complete negotiations on rare earth metals

On February 26, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced the conclusion of negotiations on the agreement during a telethon. At the same time, the media published a possible text of the future agreement.

The document, as reported by Shmyhal, contains references to security guarantees for Ukraine, as well as conditions for long-term peace. "According to the sources, there may be some point changes (in particular, the change of signatories), but the main provisions have already been agreed upon," the media reported.

Based on the published text, Ukraine's legal obligation is to begin negotiations with the United States on a more detailed document that will regulate the activities of the Reconstruction Investment Fund. It is to be created by Ukraine and the United States.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, according to experts, the total value of all mineral resources in Ukraine reaches $14.8 trillion. At the same time, Ukraine does not have access to a significant part of its mineral resources because of Russia's temporary occupation of the territories where they are located.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!