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Trump administration reduces Ukraine aid estimate in minerals deal: report
The US looks to have softened its aid payback demands in talks over a deal for Ukrainian investment projects
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The United States appears to have tempered its demands for the payback of aid by Ukraine during talks over an economic deal between the two nations, according to people familiar with the matter.
Following a round of negotiations in Washington last week, President Donald Trump’s administration has reduced its estimate for the help the US provided to Kyiv since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion from US$300 billion to about US$100 billion, the people said. This brings it closer to Ukraine’s own estimate of more than US$90 billion.
The Trump administration is pressing Kyiv for a deal to share profits from future Ukrainian investment projects, including in minerals and infrastructure. Washington sees it as compensation for the tens of billions of dollars in weapons and other help given to the nation under the previous president, Joe Biden, since Russia began its full-scale invasion more than three years ago.
The partnership agreement would grant the US first claim on profits transferred into a special reconstruction investment fund that would be controlled by Washington. Kyiv is seeking better terms and refusing to recognise past US aid as debt.
Ukraine’s government has declined to comment until a deal is signed. The White House and Treasury Department did not respond to a request for comment. The technical talks were highly productive, a Treasury Department spokesperson said, adding that they were looking forward to bringing the negotiations to a conclusion soon.
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