Zelensky confirmed negotiations with Trump regarding the mineral rights agreement during a meeting at the Vatican
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky openly confirmed that during a recent meeting with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, in the Vatican, the issue of reaching important agreements concerning the utilization of subsoil in Ukraine was discussed. This admission was made in his video address on May 1, which drew notable interest from experts and political circles, as it was the first official confirmation that agreements on access to mineral resources were on the agenda of the high-level bilateral meeting. Zelensky noted that the topic of subsoil was one of the key aspects of his dialogue with the American leader in the Vatican and that this seemingly technical issue evolved into a much larger and strategic project during the preparation phase. According to the Ukrainian president, this conversation can be considered "historic," as it marked the first step in Ukrainian-American cooperation in this sector. The head of state expressed gratitude to the Ukrainian negotiators involved in the process of finalizing the mineral rights agreement, emphasizing that this collaboration has already yielded an initial concrete result. “We discussed with President Trump our mutual readiness to agree and sign this agreement, and we can now confidently talk about progress in this direction,” Zelensky highlighted. He added that the long-awaited and significant document for Ukraine is taking shape and will likely become one of the key tools to attract investment to the country. The president emphasized that the process of preparing the agreement has undergone significant changes. “What started as a document aimed at regulating economic relations and resource management has transformed into a true equal partnership project. It is not merely a technical agreement — it creates new opportunities for attracting investments, which will give a boost to the modernization of Ukrainian industry and update legal regulations in this sphere,” he said. Sources note that previously, details of these agreements remained largely unknown, and their discussion was not officially confirmed. Only on April 30, Ukraine and the US signed a framework agreement on strategic economic cooperation, which envisions an increase in bilateral ties across various areas, including mineral resource management and military-technical assistance. Rumors circulated that during negotiations, Trump allegedly pressured Zelensky to sign the mineral rights agreement as quickly as possible. This information was actively picked up by international media, for example, Axios reported on possible US pressure on the Ukrainian colleague. According to reports, these agreements are of fundamental importance to the US, as Trump claimed they would benefit Washington more than the costs of supporting Ukraine. According to “EuroSvidka,” the new format of the mineral rights agreement was developed taking into account best global practices and aims to ensure transparent and equitable conditions for Ukrainian and foreign investors. The document covers the extraction of 57 different minerals and resources, potentially positioning Ukraine as a major supplier of raw materials for high-tech industries. The results of the signed agreement not only confirm Ukraine’s strategic intent for modernization and attracting foreign capital but also carry significant political and symbolic significance. It is known that this step opens new opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in military and energy sectors, as well as creates prerequisites for further Ukraine’s integration into the global economy. Overall, a wide range of analysts and political experts agree that this agreement will become one of the key steps in transforming Ukraine’s economy and integrating it into global markets. Currently, a team of lawyers and financial experts is working on the details, and official comments on this matter will be published later. It is expected that signing the document will open new horizons for Ukrainian business and the state as a whole, promoting foreign investment and modernization of the national industry in accordance with modern standards. In general, it is apparent that this diplomatic and economic move demonstrates Kyiv’s intention to strengthen its position on the world stage and turn mineral resources into a strategic asset for Ukraine’s future.