Shmyhal outlined Ukraine's 'red lines' in negotiations with the US regarding mineral resources.

The Ukrainian delegation with international lawyers will head to the US at the end of the week for technical negotiations on an agreement regarding rare earth metals. This was reported by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal during a briefing on the occasion of the Ukraine-EU Association Council meeting. He outlined Ukraine's fundamental positions regarding the future agreement with America in the field of subsoil use.

'Of course, we have red lines. First of all, it is our Constitution. Secondly, it is our aspiration to join the EU and our European commitments. It is also international law. We also understand that this should be a partnership agreement - with equal conditions for both parties,' said the head of the government.

According to Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine is already forming a technical-level delegation and has involved international law firms in the process. He also added that technical negotiations will continue this weekend and next week. 'We are optimistic,' he concluded.

It is recalled that at the end of February 2025, a framework agreement on joint mineral extraction in Ukraine between Ukraine and the US was planned to be signed. However, the signing did not take place due to a conflict in the Oval Office during President Zelensky's visit.

On March 27, the US offered Ukraine a draft of a new, broader agreement and hopes to sign it at the beginning of April. US President Donald Trump threatened Volodymyr Zelensky with 'big problems' if the agreement is not signed.

Analysis:

The Ukrainian delegation is heading to the US for technical negotiations regarding an agreement on rare earth metals. This was reported by Denys Shmyhal, emphasizing Ukraine's fundamental positions regarding the agreement with America.

Shmyhal stated that Ukraine has its 'red lines' in the negotiations, including the Constitution and the aspiration for EU membership. He also stressed the need for a partnership agreement with equal conditions for both parties.

Ukraine is already forming a technical-level delegation and has involved international law firms in the process. The Prime Minister hopes for successful results from the technical negotiations and confirmed the government's optimistic mood regarding the agreement.

It was also reminded about the unsuccessful attempt to sign the framework agreement in February 2025 due to a conflict in the Oval Office. However, the US introduced a new project of the agreement with a wider range of issues and hopes for its signing in a few weeks.