The United States will invest in Ukraine without acquiring ownership rights to its assets and without creating new debt burdens. This approach aims to ensure mutual benefits from the minerals agreement for both countries, as reported in an article by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for the Financial Times.
The U.S. Treasury Secretary emphasized that, although there has been much discussion about the economic partnership proposed by American President Donald Trump to his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, much of it has been distorted or simply untrue.
"Therefore, I welcome this opportunity to clarify the benefits this partnership will bring to both our countries," he noted.
According to him, Trump's innovative approach represents a new model of productive international partnership.
"Let’s also be clear about what this is not. The U.S. will not acquire ownership rights to physical assets in Ukraine. It will also not burden Ukraine with new debts," he stressed.
Bessent stated that this type of economic pressure used by other global players will not serve the interests of either the U.S. or Ukraine.
"To create greater long-term value, the U.S. must invest alongside the people of Ukraine, ensuring that both sides are incentivized to reap as many benefits as possible," he summarized.
The U.S. Treasury Secretary noted that the terms of the joint partnership stipulate that revenues generated by the Ukrainian government from natural resources, infrastructure, and other assets will be directed to a fund focused on the long-term reconstruction and development of Ukraine.
At the same time, the U.S. will hold economic and management rights in these future investments.
Additionally, Bessent mentioned that while in Kyiv, he met with many American companies that have been operating in Ukraine for many years.
"And I spoke with many others who are ready to support the Ukrainian economy by establishing a fair and lasting peace," he noted.
The conditions of this partnership mobilize American talent, capital, high standards, and management to accelerate Ukraine's recovery and send a clear signal to Russia that the U.S. is investing in a free and prosperous Ukraine in the long term.
According to him, revenues from future income streams will be reinvested in key sectors aimed at unlocking more assets that contribute to Ukraine's growth.
The terms of this agreement also ensure that countries that did not contribute to the protection of Ukraine's sovereignty will not benefit from its recovery or these investments.