--- title: U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal: Key Political Figures React description: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the agreement is "a milestone in our shared prosperity and an important step in ending this war." canonical: https://time.com/7281828/united-states-ukraine-minerals-deal-signed-trump-zelensky-politicians-react/ author: Callum Sutherland article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2025-05-01T12:19:47.000Z article:modified_time: 2025-05-02T16:53:53.000Z article:section: Politics og:title: U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal: Key Political Figures React og:description: Secretary Rubio said the agreement is "a milestone in our shared prosperity and an important step in ending this war." og:url: https://time.com/7281828/united-states-ukraine-minerals-deal-signed-trump-zelensky-politicians-react/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt236c61c3775d4d46/6998c63ed32e939f0dcd6f6b/GettyImages-2202519875.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 3634 og:image:height: 2044 og:image:alt: President Trump Hosts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy At The White House og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal: Key Political Figures React twitter:description: Secretary Rubio said the agreement is "a milestone in our shared prosperity and an important step in ending this war." twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt236c61c3775d4d46/6998c63ed32e939f0dcd6f6b/GettyImages-2202519875.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 video:duration: 02:18 video:published: 2025-05-02 section: politics topics: US-Ukraine minerals deal, Reconstruction Investment Fund, critical minerals, Ukraine rebuilding, State Department briefing, US role as mediator, Russia-Ukraine conflict, ceasefire efforts, national security, economic partnership genre: news briefing, statement tones: assertive, diplomatic, measured, formal emotions: confidence (high), resolve (medium), optimism (medium) sentiment: positive audience: news followers, policy watchers, foreign affairs readers, students of international relations people: Tammy Bruce, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump organizations: U.S. State Department, US Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund content_suitability: war [01:08-02:18] transcript_source: publisher captions transcript_reviewed: not applicable ---  # How Key Political Figures Are Reacting to the Signing of the U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal > Sponsored content. 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Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk. #### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter? Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=cd4ace47-f3b9-4b36-a3d2-805ffbfc3fa8&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1) ## Video: State Department Says the U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal "Cements a Partnership" [Watch (HLS stream): State Department Says the U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal "Cements a Partnership"](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/ompiptfG.m3u8) (2:18)  _Published 2025-05-02. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce says the minerals deal cements the US partnership with Ukraine but it's still up to the other two parties involved in the conflict to work out a ceasefire._ Description, summary, key points, chapters, key quotes, questions and transcript, where present, were produced automatically from the video or its captions and were not reviewed. ## Summary A State Department spokesperson discusses the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, describing it as an economic partnership that goes beyond critical minerals. She says profits generated will be reinvested into Ukraine's rebuilding. She also explains that the U.S. will no longer act as mediator in the conflict and that the two parties must now develop concrete ideas to end it. ## Key points - The arrangement is the US Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, and it involves much more than just the critical minerals. (00:21) - The spokesperson says the deal is not just a financial arrangement but a bonding between two countries that will make a difference for a nation. (00:29) - Profits generated by the fund are to be reinvested into Ukraine for the rebuilding that will have to happen. (00:57) - The Secretary has said the U.S. is watching Putin's actions, not his words. (01:08) - The Secretary has refined a specific timeline, described as weeks, then days, with this week called pivotal. (01:14) - The minerals deal should not be seen as a statement about Russia or about a phone call with Putin. (01:26) - The U.S. will not be the mediator; it remains committed and will help, but will not fly around the world to mediate meetings. (01:43) - The two parties must now present and develop concrete ideas for how the conflict ends, and it is up to them. (02:08) ## Chapters - [00:00 to 00:57] Deal as economic partnership with Ukraine. The spokesperson describes the deal as cementing an economic partnership and explains its broader purpose for Ukraine's rebuilding and security. - [00:57 to 01:43] Reinvestment, Putin timeline, and Russia. She says profits are reinvested in Ukraine, notes the Secretary is watching Putin's actions, and says the deal is not a statement about Russia. - [01:43 to 02:18] U.S. steps back from mediating. She explains the U.S. will not act as mediator and that the two parties must develop concrete ideas to end the conflict. ## Key quotes - [00:05] Tammy Bruce: "it cements a partnership," - [00:21] Tammy Bruce: "it's the US Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund," - [01:08] Tammy Bruce: "we are watching Putin's actions, not his words." - [01:50] Tammy Bruce: "we will not be the mediators." - [02:16] Tammy Bruce: "It's going to be up to them." ## Questions this video answers - What is the US Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund? [00:21] - What happens to profits generated under the deal? [00:57] - Is the minerals deal a statement about Russia? [01:26] - Will the United States mediate between the parties in the conflict? [01:43] - What does the State Department say must happen next to end the conflict? [02:08] ## Content suitability - war [01:08-02:18]: Discussion of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and efforts to end it through negotiation; no graphic content. by [Callum Sutherland](https://time.com/author/callum-sutherland/) ## Callum Sutherland Reporter Updated: May 2, 2025 4:53 PM UTCPublished: May 1, 2025 12:19 PM UTC State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce says the minerals deal cements the US partnership with Ukraine but it's still up to the other two parties involved in the conflict to work out a ceasefire. by [Callum Sutherland](https://time.com/author/callum-sutherland/) ## Callum Sutherland Reporter Updated: May 2, 2025 4:53 PM UTCPublished: May 1, 2025 12:19 PM UTC After ongoing deliberations and uncertainty, the United States and Ukraine signed a deal on Wednesday, April 30, allowing the U.S. preferential access to new Ukrainian minerals deals in return for an investment fund for Kyiv. Ukraine has since published [the agreement](https://www.kmu.gov.ua/storage/app/uploads/public/681/33c/e8f/68133ce8f2e82842702204.pdf), outlining the specifics of the deal. The document details that the agreement serves as “a flagship mechanism for encouraging transparent, accountable, and future oriented investment into critical sectors of Ukraine’s economy.” The report also notably refers to “Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.” Per a [follow-up fact sheet](https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/05/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-secures-agreement-to-establish-united-states-ukraine-reconstruction-investment-fund/) published by the White House, the partnership between the U.S. and Ukraine “establishes a fund that will receive 50% of royalties, license fees, and other similar payments from natural resource projects in Ukraine.” That money will then “be invested in new projects in Ukraine, which will generate long-term returns for both the American and Ukrainian peoples.” The agreement was initially[ suggested](https://time.com/7222072/ukraine-minerals-us-security-shield-trump/) some months ago, but talks soon derailed after a heated argument between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in the [Oval Office on Feb. 28](https://time.com/7262883/trump-zelensky-meeting/). The Ukrainian President’s trip to Washington was cut short, and the deal seemed to be in tatters, alongside relations between the two nations.  U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky clashed during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 28, 2025. Saul Loeb—Getty Images In a press conference on Thursday, May 1, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt [labelled the agreement](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c20zj5l4jpdt?post=asset%3Af5ba9161-4202-425a-ba19-0d3d13132583#post) as historic, adding: "This partnership represents the United States taking an economic stake in securing a free, peaceful, and sovereign future for Ukraine.” The deal was signed on Wednesday by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. Bessent took to social media after the signing and [said](https://x.com/SecScottBessent/status/1917697018551754802): “I am glad to announce the signing of today’s historic economic partnership agreement.” Bessent added that the deal, called the “United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund,” would “help accelerate Ukraine’s economic recovery” and that “economic security is national security.” **Read more**: [_‘Game Changer’: Mineral Deal Raises Hopes of GOP Uniting Behind Ukraine_](https://time.com/7282110/ukraine-minerals-deal/) Svyrydenko relayed "key provisions" of the agreement in an update [shared via X](https://x.com/Svyrydenko%5FY/status/1917697017205113145), saying: “Full ownership and control remain with Ukraine. All resources on our territory and in territorial waters belong to Ukraine… It is the Ukrainian state that determines where and what to extract.” During a call with NewsNation on Wednesday, President Trump spoke about his seemingly pivotal meeting with Zelensky at Pope Francis’ funeral last week, [after which he publicly called out Russian President Vladimir Putin](https://time.com/7280640/president-trump-zelensky-meeting-pope-francis-funeral-russia-conflict-talks/). The President[ told NewsNation](https://www.newsnationnow.com/cuomo-show/trump-transition-period-rebalance-trade-townhall/): “I told him \[Zelensky\] it’s a very good thing if we can produce a deal and you sign it, because Russia is much stronger.” **Read More**: [_Trump Publicly Calls Out Putin After Meeting With Zelensky at Pope Francis’ Funeral_](https://time.com/7280640/president-trump-zelensky-meeting-pope-francis-funeral-russia-conflict-talks/) Trump has previously claimed that the U.S. has spent $350 billion dollars on Ukraine since the start of Russia’s invasion in 2022, but The Kiel Institute argues that the U.S. spent closer to [$120 billion](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crew8y7pwd5o) on aid to Ukraine between January 2022 and December 2024. Here’s what key political figures have said after the signing of the highly-anticipated and much discussed deal: ## **Volodymyr Zelensky** Via [a statement](https://t.me/V%5FZelenskiy%5Fofficial/14054) on Telegram, the Ukrainian President said, [per the Kyiv Independent](https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-says-conclusion-of-minerals-deal-is-first-result-of-talks-with-trump-in-vatican/?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com): “It is now a truly equal agreement that opens the door to substantial investment in Ukraine and enables major modernization of production within the country, as well as, just as importantly, an upgrade of our legal practices.” Earlier on Thursday morning, after reports of Russian drone strikes on Odesa, Ukraine, during the night, Zelensky called for increased pressure on Russia to end the war. In a statement shared via social media, [he said](https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1917876521127002334): "That is why a strong push for diplomacy is needed—continued pressure on Russia is essential to force it into silence and negotiations. The more effective the sanctions, the more incentives Russia will have to end the war.”  Trump and Zelensky shared a "productive" conversation ahead of Pope Francis' funeral at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, on April 26, 2025. Office of the President of Ukraine—Getty Images ## **Andrii Sybiha** Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Andrii Sybiha [said that the deal](https://x.com/andrii%5Fsybiha/status/1917873077750268113) “marks an important milestone in Ukraine–U.S. strategic partnership aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s economy and security,” in a statement on X. In the same post, Sybiha said he had spoken to the E.U. high representative for foreign affairs, Kaja Kallas, informing her of the deal. He added he is “grateful to the E.U. for its solidarity and steadfast support." **Read More**:[ _Zelensky on Trump, Putin, and the Endgame in Ukraine_](https://time.com/7270880/zelensky-trump-putin-ukraine-endgame-interview/) ## **Marco Rubio** U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio [welcomed the signing of the deal](https://x.com/SecRubio/status/1917740443208470917), thanking President Trump for his leadership. Rubio also said that the deal is “a milestone in our shared prosperity and an important step in ending this war.” ## **Gregory Meeks** In a [statement](https://democrats-foreignaffairs.house.gov/2025/4/meeks-issues-statement-on-ukraine-minerals-deal), Democrat Congressman Gregory Meeks called the agreement “Donald Trump’s extortion of Ukraine deal,” adding that he hopes “the Administration can now turn to the real roadblock for peace.” Meeks reiterated his support for the Ukrainian President, saying: “President Zelensky has shown time and again that he is willing to negotiate to work towards a sustainable peace; now is the time for Trump to put the pressure on Putin where it belongs.” ## **David Lammy** U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a [statement](https://x.com/DavidLammy/status/1917730068379336878) that the U.K. “welcomes steps taken by the U.S. and Ukraine to sign an economic partnership.” Lammy also drew focus to the relationship between his country and Ukraine, saying: “The U.K.’s support for Ukraine remains steadfast. With our 100-year partnership, we are deepening economic and security ties for the future generations of both of our countries.” ## **Dmitry Medvedev** In a post on Telegram, Dmitry Medvedev the deputy chair for Russia’s Security Council and former Russian President, [said the deal was a defeat for Kyiv, stating](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/us-ukraine-sign-economic-deal-terms-natural-resources-war-torn-country-rcna203963): “Trump has finally broken the Kiev regime into paying for American aid with minerals… Now they will have to pay for military supplies with the national wealth of a disappearing country.” ## Transcript [00:00] What we do know from this deal and what the president has [00:02] said and what has been made clear now in this arrangement, [00:05] is that it cements a partnership, [00:07] an economic partnership between the United States and Ukraine. [00:11] And it is something that also speaks to the nature of [00:14] how Ukraine will rebuild after this catastrophe. [00:18] It is a terrific deal, [00:20] I think that it is. [00:21] And again, it's the US Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, [00:26] and it involves much more than just the critical minerals. [00:29] What I think Ukraine understands, [00:31] and what we intend is that this is not just a financial arrangement. [00:36] This is a bonding between two countries that will make a difference for a nation. [00:41] Certainly in Ukraine's situation, [00:43] where they have a friend and the rest of [00:46] the world will notice that when you have a friend like the United States, [00:49] and when we are in business with you and in your nation, [00:52] it creates a stronger national security for for everyone involved. [00:57] And certainly in this case, [00:58] when it comes to the profits that are generated, [01:00] that that is then reinvested into Ukraine for [01:03] the rebuilding dynamic that is going to obviously have to have to happen. [01:08] The Secretary has been clear that we are watching Putin's actions, not his words. [01:14] And in the process, [01:16] he's he's refined a very specific timeline. [01:19] Weeks ago, it was weeks. [01:20] A few days ago, it was days that this would be a pivotal week. [01:24] And look at that. It has been. [01:26] I don't think we should look at the the minerals deal as a statement about Russia. [01:33] Or if you talk to Putin on the phone, [01:35] it's not a statement about something else. [01:37] Trump has been very clear about his mission, [01:39] and that is how we should have we should look at it through that lens. [01:43] And the Secretary has also made it very clear that while our our style will change, [01:48] the methodology of how we contribute to this will [01:50] change in that we will not be the mediators. [01:54] That is what I mentioned on Tuesday. [01:55] And the nature of how this would change is we would [01:58] not we certainly were still committed to it and will help and do what we can, [02:01] but we are not going to fly around the world at the drop of a hat to [02:04] mediate meetings that it is now between the two parties. [02:08] And now. Now is the time that they need to present [02:12] and develop concrete ideas about how this conflict is going to end. [02:16] It's going to be up to them. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/7281828/united-states-ukraine-minerals-deal-signed-trump-zelensky-politicians-react/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/7281828/united-states-ukraine-minerals-deal-signed-trump-zelensky-politicians-react/"},"headline":"How Key Political Figures Are Reacting to the Signing of the U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal","datePublished":"2025-05-01T12:19:47.000Z","dateModified":"2025-05-02T16:53:53.000Z","description":"U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the agreement is \"a milestone in our shared prosperity and an important step in ending this war.\"","url":"https://time.com/7281828/united-states-ukraine-minerals-deal-signed-trump-zelensky-politicians-react/","keywords":["Ukraine","Donald Trump","News Desk"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt236c61c3775d4d46/6998c63ed32e939f0dcd6f6b/GettyImages-2202519875.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Callum Sutherland","jobTitle":"Reporter","url":"https://time.com/author/callum-sutherland/"}],"articleSection":"Politics","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt236c61c3775d4d46/6998c63ed32e939f0dcd6f6b/GettyImages-2202519875.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"President Trump Hosts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy At The White House","caption":"President Trump Hosts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy At The White House","creditText":"Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/section/politics/","name":"Politics"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/tag/ukraine/","name":"Ukraine"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/7281828/united-states-ukraine-minerals-deal-signed-trump-zelensky-politicians-react/","name":"How Key Political Figures Are Reacting to the Signing of the U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"State Department Says the U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal \"Cements a Partnership\"","description":"State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce says the minerals deal cements the US partnership with Ukraine but it's still up to the other two parties involved in the conflict to work out a ceasefire.","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ompiptfG/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2025-05-02T16:51:25.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/ompiptfG.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/7281828/united-states-ukraine-minerals-deal-signed-trump-zelensky-politicians-react/","duration":"PT2M18S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/7281828/united-states-ukraine-minerals-deal-signed-trump-zelensky-politicians-react/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```