The Minister of Economy of Ukraine, Yulia Svyrydenko, held a meeting in Washington with U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. The negotiations focused on the launch of the first projects of the American-Ukrainian Reconstruction Investment Fund and issues related to investor protection.
This is reported by Kyiv24
First Projects and Areas of Cooperation
According to Svyrydenko, active work is currently underway on projects in the fields of graphite, lithium, and titanium extraction. She emphasized that such areas of cooperation could bring significant benefits to both countries. Svyrydenko also reported that the first meeting of the fund’s governing board is scheduled for the end of July, which will allow for the commencement of its operational activities.
Additionally, the Ukrainian side proposed to expand the fund’s investment mandate to support Ukrainian companies, particularly in the defense industry. According to her, the U.S. responded positively to this initiative and is willing to consider expanding areas of cooperation.
Support for Ukraine and Guarantees for Investors
A separate topic was the issue of expanding insurance for military risks for American investors. It was noted that American companies are ready to invest, but they require additional security guarantees.
“We have specifics. We are currently working on projects in the fields of graphite, lithium, and titanium. In such projects, partnership with the U.S. can be mutually beneficial,” she said.
Scott Bessent emphasized that he and Svyrydenko share enthusiasm regarding the launch of the fund’s operations. The U.S. Secretary of the Treasury reaffirmed support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and the commitment to ensuring stable and lasting peace. He also stressed that no individual or company that financed or supplied the Russian military machine should benefit from the reconstruction of Ukraine.
The official Ukrainian delegation, led by Yulia Svyrydenko, arrived in Washington to conduct a series of meetings with representatives of both political parties in the U.S. The delegation also includes the head of the President’s Office, Andriy Yermak.
The agreement to establish the American-Ukrainian Reconstruction Investment Fund came into effect in May after an exchange of diplomatic notes between the countries. On April 30, Ukraine and the U.S. signed an agreement on economic partnership and the establishment of the fund.
As Yulia Svyrydenko noted, the document guarantees that full ownership and control of the fund remain with Ukraine, the fund is established on a parity basis (50/50), Ukraine has no debt obligations to the U.S., and the fund’s revenues will be formed exclusively from new licenses. The agreement will also not hinder Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.