News Feed

Ukraine investigating leaked U.S. minerals deal, FT reports

1 min read
Ukraine investigating leaked U.S. minerals deal, FT reports
ArcelorMittal Kryvyj Rih integrated steel company's factory in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, on June 25, 2024. (Nick Allard / The Kyiv Independent)

Ukraine is reportedly investigating the source of a leaked draft of the minerals deal with the U.S.

The administration of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has directed the security services to find the leakers, the Financial Times reports.

The measures include use of polygraph tests on those with access to the deal across several government ministries, though the Financial Times did not identify them specifically.

The minerals deal is the pet project of U.S. President Donald Trump, who talks about it as a means of securing U.S. engagement with Ukraine via private industry investment. Opponents talk about it as colonial pillaging of Ukraine's resources.

The actual details of the minerals deal seem to fluctuate regularly, but Ukrainian authorities including Zelensky have assented in general terms to the concept of U.S. miners coming into Ukraine.

An earlier version of the deal did, however, fall apart early in March. Negotiations are, however, very much ongoing. Trump however recently accused Zelensky of “trying to back out” of the minerals deal.

Avatar
The Kyiv Independent news desk

We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.

Read more
News Feed
Russia

The unnamed project, lacking a defined team or political platform, seeks to offer an alternative to the Kremlin at a time when Russia's opposition operates largely from abroad and remains fractured, with its ability to influence domestic politics remaining low.

Video

Hungary is heading into what could be its most consequential election in decades — and Ukraine has become a central issue in the campaign. The Kyiv Independent’s Martin Fornusek reports from Budapest, where Prime Minister Viktor Orban, after 16 years in power, is facing his strongest challenge yet from opposition leader Peter Magyar.

Show More