UKRAINE: FT-Minerals Deal w/US Hits Last-Minute Hurdle

FT reporting that the US-Ukraine natural resources/critical minerals deal has hit a last-minute hurdle. Earlier reports claimed that the deal could be signed as soon as today (see 'UKRAINE: BBG-US & Ukraine Could Sign Natural Resources Deal Today', 1229BST). The FT claims that a dispute over what had been agreed to in lengthy overnight negotiations could scupper the plan to sign the deal imminently. 

• The earlier reports claimed that a joint fund that would manage investment projects in Ukraine had been reached. Initial indications were that Kyiv had secured the concession that only future US military aid would count towards the US' contribution to the fund, rather than aid to date.
• FT: "... problems arose as [Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia] Svyrydenko’s plane headed to Washington, and Bessent’s team told her she should “be ready to sign all agreements, or go back home”,[...] The Americans want the Ukrainians to sign both the framework deal and a detailed fund agreement that would complete the full minerals deal on Wednesday, said two Ukrainian officials."
• Ukraine has argued that the framework deal needs to be ratified by the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) before the full fund agreement can be signed off.
• FT: "While the framework deal does not explicitly offer US security guarantees for Ukraine, it does call the agreement “an expression of a broader, long-term strategic alignment . . . and a tangible demonstration of the United States of America’s support for Ukraine’s security, prosperity, reconstruction and integration into global economic frameworks”."