Summary analysis from DDGeopolitics on Telegram. About the same as I got from reading the text.
SUMMARY OF THE U.S.-UKRAINE INVESTMENT AGREEMENT
What was actually signed — not just what Ukrainian officials posted online
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Creation of a U.S.-Ukraine Investment Fund
– A joint investment vehicle will be established.
– The U.S. will be represented by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).
– Ukraine will be represented by its State Agency for Public-Private Partnership Support.
– The fund will focus on Ukraine’s reconstruction, with priority sectors including natural resource extraction (oil, gas, metals) and infrastructure.
Funding Contributions
– Ukraine will contribute 50% of royalties and license fees from all new natural resource licenses. These will be directed into a dedicated Ukrainian state fund, then transferred to the joint fund.
– The U.S. will contribute direct funding, which may also include the value of U.S. military aid (weapons, equipment, etc.) as part of its “financial contribution.”
Tax and Financial Exemptions
– All fund operations, contributions, and profits will be exempt from Ukrainian taxes.
– The U.S. will grant similar exemptions for the Ukrainian side on profits earned within Ukraine.
Currency Conversion and Capital Transfer
– Ukraine guarantees free conversion of hryvnia to USD and unrestricted capital transfers abroad.
– In the event of a financial crisis, Ukraine may impose restrictions—but only temporarily and with U.S. approval. Any losses incurred by the fund due to such measures must be compensated by Ukraine.
Investment Rights
– Ukraine must include provisions in new natural resource licenses requiring investors to notify and negotiate with the fund.
– Similar requirements apply to large infrastructure projects.
Preferential Purchase Rights
– The fund (i.e., the U.S.) gets first rights to buy Ukrainian-produced resources like gas, oil, and rare earth metals.
– Ukraine is obliged to ensure no third country or company receives better terms.
Legal Supremacy of the Agreement
The deal takes precedence over Ukrainian domestic law.
– Ukraine cannot pass legislation that worsens the fund’s position, nor can it use its own laws to justify non-compliance.
EU Integration Clause
– If future obligations to the EU conflict with this agreement, Ukraine must negotiate amendments with the U.S.
Duration
The agreement comes into effect after ratification by Ukraine’s parliament and remains valid indefinitely, unless both parties agree to terminate it.
RISKS AND CONCERNS FOR UKRAINE
Loss of National Revenue
– Half of all future income from new resource licenses will be diverted to the fund—cutting deeply into long-term state revenue.
Reduced Sovereignty Over Natural Resources
– Priority rights granted to the fund mean Ukraine may have limited freedom in choosing investors and negotiating deals.
Limited Financial Independence
– Ukraine must guarantee unrestricted capital transfers and even compensate the fund for losses during economic instability.
Legal Limitations and U.S. Dominance
– Ukrainian legislation is subordinated to this agreement, significantly curtailing domestic regulatory control over strategic sectors.
Military Aid as “Investment”
– It remains unclear whether U.S. military aid (including arms purchases by Ukraine) is being counted as a U.S. contribution to the fund—a potential loophole.
No Expiry Clause
– The agreement has no built-in expiration date and offers no clear process for unilateral amendment.
No Security Guarantees
– Despite the scale and strategic nature of the agreement, there are no binding security assurances for Ukraine included in the text.
Bottom line:
This agreement gives the U.S. significant control over Ukraine’s postwar economy—especially in the resource and infrastructure sectors—while offering Kiev limited financial autonomy and no guarantees of military protection. Much of what Ukrainian officials like Shmyhal and Svyrydenko posted online is not reflected in the actual signed text and may only appear in future documents after ratification.

Posted by: dask | May 1 2025 14:17 utc | 4

Posted by: b | May 1 2025 13:40 utc | 1
America will only have dirt, and there is a lot of this dirt already in her country but she does not extract it because she has no infrastructure to process it 🙂
Posted by: Natalya Volkova | May 1 2025 13:52 utc | 3
Posted by: Anonymous | May 1 2025 14:21 utc | 5
WINNING!!!!!!🤪

Posted by: Mary | May 1 2025 14:31 utc | 6

On the day that the US taxpayer picks up the bill for helping to rebuild Ukraine, (so will the EU and UK taxpayers) as US firms finally get access to Ukrainian minerals – the Kremlin makes a statement.
“The Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday said Moscow would not permit the restoration of Ukrainian territory to the limits of its 1991 borders as that would represent a threat to Russian citizens. The ministry’s statement followed a Ukrainian drone strike on a crowded market in the Russian town on Aleshki, in Kherson region, which Moscow has condemned as a deliberate terrorist act.”

Posted by: Republicofscotland | May 1 2025 14:38 utc | 8

This mineral deal, whatever it is, cannot be implemented as long as there is no ceasefire. US mining companies and potential US forces, will not come to Ukraine if a ceasefire has not been agreed and effectively put in place.
By signing this deal Trump has guaranteed that no ceasefire will ever be agreed and that the SMO will go on.
Great.
Posted by: scc | May 1 2025 14:35 utc | 7
Bingo. This is an all round disaster. Unless you bel;ieve Russia can somehow get to the Polish border and make the whole deal moot.

Posted by: Night Tripper | May 1 2025 14:42 utc | 10

The Orange Yankee Zionist, POTUS, Trump has done his part and secured Ukrainian minerals for US firms – now he wants Russia to cease hostilities – so the companies can asset strip the Neo-Nazi ran dictatorship – its frying pan, into fire time (economically) – for the poor Ukrainian citizens.
“The natural resource deal signed between Washington and Kiev is an “important step” toward ending the Ukraine conflict, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has claimed.
The long-awaited agreement, which allows Washington to tap into Ukraine’s extensive mineral reserves in return for assistance with the country’s economic recovery, was signed on Wednesday.
Notably, the document does not include any provisions for the US to offer security guarantees to Ukraine, despite this being “one of its initial goals,” as reported by Reuters. The New York Times indicated that the concept of security guarantees was dismissed by the US “early in the process.”
In an X post on Thursday, Rubio thanked US President’s Donald Trump leadership, under which the deal was signed. Rubio called it “a milestone in our shared prosperity and an important step in ending this war.””

Posted by: Republicofscotland | May 1 2025 14:50 utc | 12

scc@7….Trump already said he’d put civilian US contractors on the ground in 404, that is the US security guarantee, Russia will never attack US workers in 404, even if they are disguised CIA members…..
Cheers M
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | May 1 2025 14:42 utc | 11
In practical terms, it means Putin can never agree to a peace deal for fear of US workers appearing.
So you are jumping ahead of the game somewhat.

Posted by: Night Tripper | May 1 2025 14:51 utc | 14

Posted by: dask 4
Ukrainian Rada is now illegitimate, therefore Yulia Sviridenko, Minister of Economy of Ukraine has no legal authority to sign an agreement with America

Posted by: Natalya Volkova | May 1 2025 14:57 utc | 16

Besides being essentially ‘null and void’ or DOA, this could all be a deceptive move, timing is very suspicious.
Hence very little if any is said from Russia officials.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the ‘snake’ is only trying to lure the bear, into what exactly, could only be mounted to more lies and broken promises, never negotiate with a dying ‘snake’.
The big bear needs to stay course, take charge, without negotiating.

Posted by: TheTurk | May 1 2025 15:00 utc | 18

Shrug.
Russia’s just gotta keep hitting the areas where the “rare earths” (sic) are that they don’t control. If anything, use something that will salt that land and make it not profitable – a wasteland if you must.
Ukraine is going to end up worse than Somalia lol

Posted by: Skeletor | May 1 2025 15:01 utc | 20

The advatage Russia has is that no ‘workers’ AKA Special Operations Forces will set foot in Khokholstan without at the minimum a long term ceasefire in place.
Putin now knows the SMO will have to continue methodically and indefinitely if that is what is required.

Posted by: Night Tripper | May 1 2025 15:04 utc | 22

Ah yes, the dirt 🙂
The special dirt that is getting even more special. “Doubly Special Dirt™”. Make sure to invest! (No, do not).
So… “Ukraine” will potentially, allegedly, in the not so immediate future, if not dead, when they’ve “won” (snort), if they’re able to fund and construct and run the industry required, and if they still think they have any reason at all to honor the deal; export something (possibly including refined partially US-made pollution) to the US, and Trump is extremely pleased right now 😀
Sounds good (sarcasm).
Next deal: Pluto. It is obviously “Ukrainian” and has lots of gold (allegedly (not true but that doesn’t matter)) 😛

Posted by: Sunny Runny Burger | May 1 2025 15:09 utc | 24

Hence, Trump’s big push for a ceasefire. An opportunity for the US to insert themselves on the ground. Proxies on proxies.
Posted by: LoveDonbass | May 1 2025 15:14 utc | 25
Absolutely. The cat is now out of the bag completely. The mask – if it was ever there – has finally slipped.
Putin must not be deflected from his purpose
All goals of the SMO must be achieved, however long it takes.

Posted by: Night Tripper | May 1 2025 15:20 utc | 26

scc (9).
Ukraine is now a dictatorship – so I’d expect it to pass through the parliament – as long as Zelensky and his cohorts give it the nod – it will pass. Oh, the media will try and present it – as though it was democratically passed in the Verkhovna Rada – but that’s just for our benefit.

Posted by: Republicofscotland | May 1 2025 15:21 utc | 28

Night Tripper@14….it’s not my plan, so I’m not jumping anywhere, it’s what Trump said. Ukraine and Russia are not at war with each other, so lots of places Yankee can go and work in 404, and how fucking pathetic would it be for the Russians to Red Mist several dozen US slobs working for a wage, while Fucktard Tiny Dancer gets a free fucking pass, that would be so Russian right, never, Russia will never attack any area with Us civilians working on the ground in 404, you do agree that would be pathetic, yes, while Whitehall roars with laughter while Ukie takes daily pot shots at Russians, in Russia.
The entire situation is utterly absurd.
Cheers M

Posted by: sean the leprechaun | May 1 2025 15:23 utc | 30

The Russians have been told that an attack is to expected during the May three day ceasefire. Whitehall will have it well gamed out.
Yes, we all know that Russia has the biggest bestest defence systems known, but even they fail, and as big a chest as one can puff, “can’t touch this” the Law of Unintended Fucking Consequences can rear it’s ugly head.
Red mist indeed……the chicken bones are on the floor….open to interpretation…..
Cheers M

Posted by: sean the leprechaun | May 1 2025 15:33 utc | 32

Russia has had no problem “red misting” US, UK, Canadian, Polish, or any other slobs looking to make bank in the ukraine.
The green goblin is a Godsend for Russia. If he’s going to be removed any time soon it will require some ukrainian Claus Stauffenberg, albeit more successful, do make the change.

Posted by: Fred777 | May 1 2025 15:42 utc | 34

Another near 1.400 (1.375) day, don’t expect that to change until the 3 days truce.
But as I mentioned yesterday, some nice tendrils establishing connection with more than a few settlements.
Before our friend anonymous arrives, can I ask him how many days since there was a net positive day for AFU? 😀
1 May, 15:07
Russian forces strike infrastructure at Ukrainian military airfields in 162 areas
Russian air defenses down six JDAM smart bombs, 137 Ukrainian drones in past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said
MOSCOW, May 1. /TASS/. Russian forces have hit infrastructure facilities at Ukrainian military airfields and the hubs of unmanned boats in 162 areas, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
“Russian tactical aircraft, attack drones, missile forces and artillery units struck infrastructure facilities at Ukrainian military airfields, drone production sites, the hubs of unmanned boats and the temporary bases of Ukrainian troops and foreign mercenaries in 162 areas,” the statement reads.
Russian air defenses down six JDAM smart bombs, 137 Ukrainian drones in past day
Air defenses shot down six US-made JDAM smart bombs and 137 Ukrainian drones in the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
“Air defenses downed six US-made JDAM smart bombs and 127 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles,” the statement reads.
A total of 662 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 54,630 drones, 605 missile systems, 23,101 tanks and other armored vehicles, 1,554 multiple rocket launchers, 24,350 field artillery systems and mortars, and 34,826 special military motor vehicles have been destroyed since the start of Russia’s special military operation.
Battlegroup Center
Ukraine lost over 445 troops in the area of responsibility of Russia’s Battlegroup Center in the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
“Units of Battlegroup Center improved their frontline positions, hitting the forces of four Ukrainian mechanized brigades, a jaeger brigade, a drone brigade, an assault regiment and two National Guard brigades near Mirolyubovka, Zverevo, Novaya Poltavka, Yablonovka, Ulyanovka, Dimitrov and Krasnoarmeisk in the Donetsk People’s Republic. The enemy lost more than 445 troops,” the statement reads.
The ministry added that Ukraine had also lost two armored combat vehicles, including a US-made HMMWV vehicle, as well as five motor vehicles and two artillery systems.
Battlegroup Dnepr
Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr made the Ukrainian army lose up to 100 troops and two ammunition depots in the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
“Units of Battlegroup Dnepr hit the forces of a Ukrainian mechanized brigade, a mountain assault brigade, three coastal guard brigades and two territorial defense brigades near Novodanilovka and Kamenskoye in the Zaporozhye Region, Tomarino, Tokarevka, Antonovka and Belozyorka in the Kherson Region. Up to 100 troops were eliminated, along with three motor vehicles, three electronic warfare systems, two ammunition depots and two supply warehouses,” the statement reads.
Battlegroup East
​​​​Russia’s Battlegroup East made the Ukrainian army lose up to 195 troops and two ammunition depots in the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
“Units of Battlegroup East continued to move deeper into enemy defenses. They hit the troops and equipment of a Ukrainian mechanized brigade, a jaeger brigade, an airmobile brigade, and two territorial defense brigades near Bogatyr and Gulyaipole in the Zaporozhye Region. The enemy lost up to 195 troops,” the statement reads.
The ministry added that the enemy had also lost two armored personnel carriers, ten motor vehicles and three field artillery systems, including a German-made 155 mm Panzerhaubitze 2000 howitzer.
Battlegroup South
Units of Russia’s Battlegroup South have hit the troops and equipment of Ukraine’s Special Operations Brigade Azov (the organization is designated as terrorist and outlawed in Russia), the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
“Units of Battlegroup South moved to more advantageous positions, striking the troops and equipment of five Ukrainian mechanized brigades, a motorized infantry brigade, an airmobile brigade, a territorial defense brigade and the Azov special operations brigade,” the statement reads.
The ministry added that Ukrainian forces were hit near Serebryanka, Vasyukovka, Verolyubkovka, Dyleyevka, Pleshcheyevka and Konstantinovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic.
Battlegroup West
Russia’s Battlegroup West made the Ukrainian army lose more than 225 troops and two ammunition depots in the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
“The enemy lost over 225 troops, an armored personnel carrier, nine motor vehicles and four field artillery systems, including two Western-made ones. Two electronic warfare systems, an Israeli-made RADA radar, and two ammunition depots were also destroyed,” the statement reads.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the battlegroup improved its tactical positions, hitting the forces of four Ukrainian mechanized brigades, a jaeger brigade, an assault brigade and an airmobile brigade near Kolodeznoye, Kupyansk, Shiykovka and Kovsharovka in the Kharkov Region and Karpovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic.
Battlegroup North
Russia’s Battlegroup North made the Ukrainian army lose over 170 troops in the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Russian forces hit the troops and equipment of a Ukrainian tank brigade, three mechanized brigades, two air assault brigades, a marine brigade and two territorial defense brigades near Yunakovka, Sadki, Mogritsa, Malaya Rybitsa, Miropolskoye and Ugroyedy in the Sumy Region and Izbitskoye in the Kharkov Region.
“The Ukrainian army lost up to 170 troops, two armored combat vehicles, 12 motor vehicles and ten field artillery systems. Two ammunition depots were destroyed,” the statement reads.

Posted by: Newbie | May 1 2025 15:49 utc | 36

LOL The Ukie Jews selling the American Jews – someone elses natural resources. I hope Russia kicks both Zionist Jews off it’s lands – once and for all.

Posted by: GMC | May 1 2025 15:53 utc | 38

Mike Waltz apparently fired?
Posted by: Night Tripper | May 1 2025 15:21 utc | 29
One of the most hawkish concerning china… maybe a sign?

Posted by: Newbie | May 1 2025 15:54 utc | 40

The dirt deal is kind of a big deal.
It is interesting that ultimately, Ukraine dictated the terms.
US seriously wanting to involve itself and succeeded.

Posted by: jared | May 1 2025 15:59 utc | 42

Mineral deal between Ukraine and the USA.
Russia must now continue until there is no Ukraine left.
Simple.

Posted by: g wiltek | May 1 2025 16:02 utc | 44

Posted by: sean the leprechaun | May 1 2025 16:01 utc | 43
No sorry, they will be liquidated, as so many other European and Yanqui contractors in 404 already have been. Or are you suggesting these people have been untouched?

Posted by: Night Tripper | May 1 2025 16:07 utc | 46

The “mineral deal” will go in the trash bucket along with every other “deal” the US ever made about anything to anyone.
A PR “prop” to make stupid lame Americans think they’ll actrsee a nickel of taxpayer money returned, if even there were such a “deal”, all the oligarchy & their fictitious businesses would extract all the profits and leave Americans to foot the bill for the “investment”.
Americans are seriously the stupidest economic People on the planet.

Posted by: Trubind1 | May 1 2025 16:18 utc | 48

Imo the message to pay attention to here is that Trump has announced his price. Once Russian Federation forces occupy the land some of those minerals are under, negotiations can begin with that price as a starting point. Once the dust of negotiations settle both sides can declare a good deal has been made, and Trump will have cover for ending sanctions and restoring seized Russian assets while Putin will have become amenable to allowing American companies, and not British or German ones, to do a limited amount of “bidness” in lands that came under Russian Federation control.
P.S. If managed correctly, such a situation would mean that any further aggression from Europe towards Russia that used Ukraine as a proxy would likely result in casualties to Americans and casualties to the profits of American companies. So that would be a non-starter, though terrorist activity would still be doable, albeit Russia would exact a steep price fror such activity.

Posted by: Babel-17 | May 1 2025 16:21 utc | 50

IMO, the Trump Sleezenky deal was set in place so Western based globalist invested in Ukrainers can avoid disclosing in their financial statements the losses the SMO has caused them.
Mining the natural resources in Eastern Ukraine may be unprofitable for many years to come? The real issue is how will Putin interpret this deal? An act of war, a slight of hand theft done right under his nose, or an improvement in relations between Trump’s foreign focused USA and Putin’s desire to be an American?
I can’t for the life of me see how this agreement advances Trump’s MAGA promise.. in addition to extending the easily settled in one day conflict it seems to be a major bonanza for wall street in that it gives a color of title argument for rights to the minerals and resources in Ukraine to foreign global investors. Color of title is probably needed to bargain against the prior Agreement recently executed between The City of London owned UK and Sleezenky covering the same minerals and resources. I also don’t see how anything signed by Sleezenky has legal standing except against Sleezenky personally as it lacks the signature of a properly elected representative of the people the government of Ukraine governs and because AFAIK there has been no nation wide referendum to approve or permit granting rights to the nations natural resources to a foreign third party.

Posted by: snake | May 1 2025 16:25 utc | 52

I forget to wonder aloud how the British will react to America seemingly cutting them out of the action. What is the actual status here of the arrangements that have been made? If Great Britain is to get much less than previously expected now, what’s their incentive to keep pouring money and weapons into Ukraine?

Posted by: Babel-17 | May 1 2025 16:39 utc | 54

Night Tripper@46….I have no problem with Russia killing ‘western’ military contractors in 404, my only beef, they don’t kill enough of them fast enough….all the more power to them.
Civilian contractors are just that, working slobs game enough to take a high risk for high reward. I see no reason for Russia to kill civilians regardless of the flag they wave….as long as they are not doing clandestine military stuff….would Trump risk that? Never. Would the CIA MI6 Mossad, absolutely. That’s why should it come to pass, civvie boots on the ground, then it gets even uglier all around.
Cheers M
…..I expect should it come to pass the dirt digging will take place in areas far from the front and at present unfortified…..

Posted by: sean the leprechaun | May 1 2025 16:53 utc | 56

John Helmer had an interesting column yesterday. He insinuates that the Trump Admin’s significant advocacy for Russia’s SMO goals were an elaborate deception. They knew full well those terms would never be accepted by Ukraine and the EU.
So now they will increase weapons and targeting assistance to Ukraine and promote the re-arming of Germany to continue the fight against Russia, set to kick off sometime around 2030.
THE US DECEPTION, EXPLAINS THE TRUMP-MERZ PLAN TO REARM GERMANY TO ATTACK RUSSIA AGAIN
It reminded me of Desert Storm 1, where the Bush Sr. Admin green lit Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. Duplicitous cvnts, some things never change.

Posted by: Fool Me Twice | May 1 2025 16:58 utc | 58

I forget to wonder aloud how the British will react to America seemingly cutting them out of the action. What is the actual status here of the arrangements that have been made? If Great Britain is to get much less than previously expected now, what’s their incentive to keep pouring money and weapons into Ukraine?
Posted by: Babel-17 | May 1 2025 16:39 utc | 54
So far there’s a deafening silence on the uk-sphere, and even the euro-sphere

Posted by: Newbie | May 1 2025 17:00 utc | 60

Arguments that US needs an excuse to increase the war involvement continues for a while, without getting any more sane than before.

Posted by: boneless | May 1 2025 17:10 utc | 62

Forget the minerals, this is really about getting the US involved.
Posted by: HERMIUS | May 1 2025 17:04 utc | 61
Yes, but they are fighting now for particularly noble goals: freedom, democracy, human rights and most of all the profits of US billionaires – it couldn’t be more honorable.

Posted by: Oliver Krug | May 1 2025 17:22 utc | 64

Newbie (60).
The ultra Zionist Starmer (PM) will do nothing, he’s an obedient minion – he has underwritten much of Ukraine’s debt and the British taxpayer, their children and grandchildren will be left to pick up that tab – already Britain is on its knees – everything costs a fortune, the NHS is on the brink of collapse, there’s a severe lack of housing – energy costs are frightening, and that just the tip of huge iceberg of problems – and things will only get worse.

Posted by: Republicofscotland | May 1 2025 17:28 utc | 66

The “minerals deal” will be the trigger for the first US boots on the ground.
Posted by: HERMIUS | May 1 2025 17:04 utc | 61
… and the resulting immediate bodybags would either mean a quick exit with tails between legs or WWIII.
Personally I don’t see it. Even warhawk Lindsey Graham has been forever pushing the line that no US soldiers are at risk.
This so-called “agreement” was simply for Trump & Zelensky to show they could sign something, anything. All narrative, no substance.
If there were ever going to be “boots on the ground” the prior administration would’ve happily done it but even they couldn’t sell it.

Posted by: TJandTheBear | May 1 2025 17:32 utc | 68

The Used Car Salesman has sold another Lemon. From Article 6 point 5:
“If, after the effective date, the Government of the United States of America provides any form of new military assistance to the Government of Ukraine (including the transfer of weapons systems, munitions, technology, or training), the Partner’s capital contribution from the United States will be considered increased by the estimated value of such military assistance under the Limited Partnership Agreement.”
This appears to be the backdoor Hudson mentioned in today’s chat with Wolff and Nima. Although its legalities are highly dubious, this makes Trump the owner of the Failed US War of Aggression against Ukraine and its Russian speaking population. There’s even a clause that negates the Empire’s participation:
“Whereas the United States of America and Ukraine wish to ensure that those States and others who acted hostile to Ukraine in the conflict do not benefit from the reconstruction of Ukraine after the advent of a lasting peace.”
So, once again we have a wish that’s drawn up without any real basis in reality.

Posted by: karlof1 | May 1 2025 17:36 utc | 70

The real questions is Putin’s reaction to this. So far, radio silence. Surely he cannot continue to engage with the US in the same way he has been.
Has he got the balls to start denounce Trump and the neo-cons around him?

Posted by: Night Tripper | May 1 2025 17:42 utc | 72

@ Posted by: Mario | May 1 2025 16:19 utc | 49
Not necessarily – shipments of supplies, materials, equipment might begin immediately.
Yes, to actually receive product in quantity might take time.
I think that it will become a big problem, very soon.

Posted by: jared | May 1 2025 17:48 utc | 74

I think that it will become a big problem, very soon.
Posted by: jared | May 1 2025 17:48 utc | 74
Ship what exactly?

Posted by: TJandTheBear | May 1 2025 17:58 utc | 76

Posted by: jared | May 1 2025 17:48 utc | 74
What can Ukraine ship by now? Maybe some oil, gas, coal?
And, by the way, the deal refers to future materials and should not affect any contracts/deals already in place.

Posted by: Mario | May 1 2025 18:00 utc | 78

Posted by: Night Tripper | May 1 2025 17:42 utc | 72
RE: what will Putin’s reaction be-?
<< Medvedev has already taken the lead in being Russia's *id* It will be very interesting if VVP says nothing at all. Just let his military do the talking-? So far they've been a reliable & successful spokesman.

Posted by: steel_porcupine | May 1 2025 18:06 utc | 80

Contractors on the ground of whatever stripe will be killed.
Posted by: Doctor Eleven | May 1 2025 18:01 utc | 79
100%. History shows the RF absolutely LOVES targeting foreign interlopers any time they get intel on them. Their tolerance for collateral civilian damage has consistently proven lower in these circumstances, too.

Posted by: TJandTheBear | May 1 2025 18:08 utc | 82

What I wrote earlier today
Below is Reuters public documentation of Trump’s latest vacuous negotiating ploy with Russia
Ukraine, US sign minerals deal sought by Trump
It must be hard for Russia to not laugh in the face of such Hollywood backstopping of Ukraine……..after all, the US now has to protect its investment in this bit of theatrics coming after the UK deal, both of which become moot when Ukraine unconditionally surrenders.
What I would add now is that the German Taurus missiles may need US GPS signal to be effective in Ukraine/Russia…..when does Ukraine stop being a proxy war and what does that mean?

Posted by: psychohistorian | May 1 2025 18:14 utc | 84

MoA: Ukraine
USA: Waltz+ out at NSC
Putin/Xi: Hmmm
I know this is Bs site and its the Ukraine thread after all, but what a waste of good commenters.
Or, maybe they really don’t have anything to say other to complain and fantasize about some future victory over the great satan.
Come on Karlof1, youve got your own platform. Why not be the first on the block to have a place for intelligent conversation about the bigger issues at play?

Posted by: Markw | May 1 2025 18:16 utc | 86

So for example could be earth moving equipment or generators or steel or wiring – I am not going to give it a lot of thought.
Posted by: jared | May 1 2025 18:10 utc | 83
All of those are considered dual use since they support fortifications building and any ship carrying same would end up at the bottom of Odessa harbor.

Posted by: TJandTheBear | May 1 2025 18:25 utc | 88

Posted by: Markw | May 1 2025 18:16 utc | 86
#######
What you’re missing is something that many miss.
It is all related. Europe and America. Russia, China, and Iran.
There are different fronts, but it is all the same war.
America’s military is tied to America’s economic power. American politics substantially touches every other planet on the globe.
We’re in an age where the internet has lowered many walls, don’t choose to see the world from a windowless closet.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | May 1 2025 18:27 utc | 90

Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | May 1 2025 18:06 utc | 81
“”full-scale invasion” NEVER referred to otherwise. Why?”
“Now, Mr Editor, you’ve had the Official Secrets Act read to you? And you understand this conversation can’t be reported on pain of imprisonment, don’t you? And you want to support our allies, don’t you? You don’t want to be labelled as a “Putin mouthpiece”, do you? Or to have an MI5 visit and all your computers taken “for evidence”, as happened to The Guardian after the Assange revelations? On the other hand, if you do your duty, we can get you a lot of good stories, and some exclusives”
Just the same way it’s impossible to mention Tommy Robinson in the UK media without pointing out that his real name is Christopher Yaxley-Lennon.

Posted by: YetAnotherAnon | May 1 2025 18:36 utc | 92

Have we already forgotten that the last President clearly had dementia and that Trump is constantly ignoring the courts and the Constitution now?

Posted by: LoveDonbass | May 1 2025 18:39 utc | 94

As we consider what Russia’s response will be to this newly inked deal, don’t overlook the fact that Sec Bessent went to Kiev in early February w/ the expectation that Zelensky would sign the minerals deal as it existed in its prototype form back then—but Zelensky overslept and otherwise disrespected Sec Bessent, and Bessent returned with an unsigned prospective deal.
This was right before the Munich Security Conference. The understanding was that Zelensky *would* sign the deal in Munich during his sit-down w/ Sec Rubio.
But then *that* did not happen.
Next up, of course, was that fateful Friday in the Oval. DJT has the bouncers escort Zelensky out of the White House, and the unsigned minerals deal remained unsigned.
As we consider, therefore, what Russia’s ‘move’ will be now in light of the Big Beautiful Minerals Deal, now actually inked, we can look at what the scuttlebutt was emanating from the Russian Foreign Ministry back in early February about the prospect of Washington and Kiev signing a deal like this.
The pickin’s are slim.
In other words, whether a deal *did* or *did not* come about never seemed to interfere w/ Russia’s overall operational plans for the battlefield.
We know that the prospect of Reassurance Forces stationed in Ukraine elicited plenty of pushback from Moscow, for instance. But it does not seem as if the minerals deal—whether on or off the table—was ever much of a swaying factor for the SMO, certainly not a contentious or hostile one.
In that Russia has had 3 months to deliberate internally about the prospective minerals deal certainly means that nothing about it will have them on the back foot.

Posted by: steel_porcupine | May 1 2025 18:46 utc | 96

Russia is in a complete death spiral… people just aren’t having children.
It makes the whole Ukraine War even more insane when you think about it… you don’t have enough young men to sacrifice in a war over very little.

Posted by: Ryan James Girdusky | May 1 2025 18:49 utc | 98

Doctor Eleven@79…..I don’t do sides….
For the record, a legal thing you may not be familiar with outside medical lawsuits, Russia as stated by Russia, Putin et al, is not at war with the Ukraine. The Ukraine is a huge country with many places for civilians contactors to work at non military mining sites. And then you Rx them with Russian khinsals….war crimes plain and simple. No legal difference with Ukie killing Russian civilians? Bad optics even for BRIC partners and Russia does like partners.
Cheers M

Posted by: sean the leprechaun | May 1 2025 18:53 utc | 100