Ukraine-US fund approves investment policies as it eyes first projects in 2026
KYIV, Dec 18 (Reuters) – The U.S. government body that oversees the fund approved on Thursday the asset policies of the Ukraine-U.S. restructuring fund established under a mining deal signed between the two countries in April and is ready to begin reviewing initial investment opportunities in 2026, the agency said.
The Development Finance Corporation (DFC) said in a statement that the second meeting of the fund “achieved the final consensus required to bring the fund to full operational status”.
DFC said potential deals could focus on critical mineral extraction and energy development, as well as maritime infrastructure.
Kiev signed the mining agreement in April after months of pressure from President Donald Trump, granting privileged access to new Ukrainian mining projects in exchange for U.S. investment. Ukraine signed the deal in hopes of gaining Trump’s support as it repels Russia’s nearly four-year full-scale invasion.
In the fall, a US team traveled to Ukraine for consultations and visited some sites of potentially promising projects.
Ukraine has deposits of 22 of the 34 minerals considered critical by the EU for industries such as defence, high-tech devices and green energy. However, many of the sites have not been fully evaluated and will require significant funding to be developed.
(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
