Ukraine Will Not Recognize U.S. Military Aid as Debt, Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated during a press briefing that the country does not consider U.S. military aid as a debt. According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, U.S. aid to Ukraine since February 24, 2022, totals $123 billion.

“Ukraine has received a draft of a new agreement regarding mineral resources from the USA, which is a completely different document than the previous one. Ukraine will not recognize the U.S. assistance as a loan. We are grateful for the support, but it is not a debt, and we will not allow it,” said the Ukrainian president.

The new draft agreement between Ukraine and the U.S. concerns all natural resources. A special fund will oversee half of Ukraine’s oil and gas reserves, all metals, and much of the infrastructure, including railways, ports, pipelines, and processing plants. More than half of the fund's members will have veto power and will be appointed by Washington. The document does not mention security guarantees for Kyiv. It is assumed that the agreement is intended to reimburse all U.S. expenses for assisting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.