Ukraine secured favorable terms in the long-awaited minerals deal with the United States, signed on Wednesday.
The agreement, finalized after tense negotiations, gives the US preferential rights to mineral extraction in Ukraine while maintaining Kyiv's ownership of subsoil.
Key aspects of the deal include US military aid counting towards a joint reconstruction fund and strong language on the conflict with Russia.
While the agreement benefits both countries, it does not guarantee exclusive US rights to Ukraine's mineral resources, focusing on new projects rather than existing operations.
Experts suggest the deal strengthens Ukraine's position but may not end the war, which continues to rage with no resolution in sight.
China's dominance in rare earth mineral production has prompted Western countries to seek alternative sources, making Ukraine's resources strategically important.