During the funeral for Pope Francis, the Holy See arranged for Donald Trump and Volodyyr Zelensky to talk one-on-one in St. Peter’s Basilica.
A Treasury Department press release said the two countries have agreed to establish a “United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund,” referring to it as an “economic partnership.” The statement did not include more detail about the agreement.
DB2
I don’t see what the Vatican has to do with this other than providing a neutral venue.
By Alan Cullison and Jane Lytvynenko, The Wall Street Journal, Updated April 30, 2025
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Central to the agreement is an investment fund that both Ukraine and the U.S. will contribute to and oversee: the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund.
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The latest draft doesn’t require Kyiv to repay past military aid, which was a nonstarter for Zelensky.
The U.S. would be able to count new military aid as a contribution to the fund, according to the Ukrainian side. …
Heidi Crebo-Rediker, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, alled the agreement a “win-win” deal for the U.S. and Ukraine, setting the stage for more U.S. military aid for Kyiv, which will then be counted as contribution to Ukraine’s mineral development.
“The U.S. will have a vested interest in the geology that the Ukrainians will be fighting for,” she said.
The deal is envisaged by the White House as a kind of security guarantee for Ukraine in the event of a cease-fire with Russia. Trump officials argue that U.S. business presence in Ukraine will deter Moscow from attacking the country again.
The fund will focus on rebuilding Ukraine and renewing the country’s economy. Ukraine will retain control over its minerals, paying into the fund with new licenses it issues. The deal will be tax- and tariff-free for both countries, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said earlier Wednesday… [end quote]
I don’t see how this agreement would protect Ukraine from Russian attack since the U.S. could simply shift the counterparty from Ukraine to Russia.
Time will tell whether this minerals deal will deter Russia from attacking Ukraine. I would bet a quarter (my maximum bet) that it won’t make a difference.
Wendy
I thought most of the minerals were under Russia’s control now
Or, said more plainly, the US money interest realize that, if Russia overran Ukraine, they would lose their investment, so, they are strongly motivated to make sure the US government doesn’t let that happen. Remember how quickly the US responded to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait? Of course, if Russia promised to respect their investment, and the money interests believed him, then they would throw Zelensky under the bus in a hot second.
Steve
Are you saying that Trump is going to drag us into a ground war with Russia?
I’m sure Trump would find some way of appeasing Putin. I added another line to that post, after you replied to it, indicating that, like any “JC”, the money interests would deem Zelensky expendable, if Putin offered them a better deal.
Steve
It sounds like Ukraine got everything they wanted out of the deal, short of security guarantees which they were never going to get.
[quote=“WendyBG, post:2, topic:116072”] I don’t see what the Vatican has to do with this other than providing a neutral venue …
[/quote]
The Holy Spirit works is mysterious ways.
We know that the Dear Leader is impressed with gold and glitter. There are few places on Earth as grand as St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Perhaps the venue spurred him to momentary diplomatic competence?
intercst
The one thing you can count on is that if the bipartisan culture of corruption in Washington is still extracting a significant “skim rate”, the activity will be protected.
President Trump has fashioned a profitable deal that would never have occurred to an addled Biden.
There’s brilliance in the madness.
intercst
Can US make a “deal” with Vatican?
Could pay off debt.
Then cut taxes, some more.
Macroeconomic Disclaimer: In new US policy framework, deals and announcing deals are most important. Cutting taxes second. Church third.
Tax the churches that should pay off the debt.
We can’t even make a deal with the Vatican to sell off a few jewels and feed the poor.
intercst
Read an article this AM that stated about 40% of Ukraine’s minerals are in Russia occupied territory. Haven’t seen nor looked for a corroborating source.
And the US got, wait for it,
I’m no minerals or “deals” expert, but I think if there was ever a deal worth all of the drama, this was it.
Until we are graced with the next deal.
That is hilarious. This is the art of the deal? Who ever voted for this clown should be really proud of themselves. Canada and Mexico will forever hold a warm spot for Trumpsters.
Doesn’t matter what the facts are. Just gaslight the mob that it is the best deal ever negotiated in the history of the world, and wildly beneficial to the US.
Steve
A Ukrainian minister was on Amanpour tonight. The text of the deal is still secret. But, apparently, USian interests are given “preference” in bidding for the resources.
Can’t help but wonder how many brigades the merc outfit formerly known as Blackwater could field in Ukraine, with “plausible deniability” for the US government, to “protect” the US money interests in Ukraine.
Steve
…and crucially the “mob” now includes the stunningly clueless “press”.
“Clueless”, or cowed?
Over the years, I have been amazed at the things that are reported by the Beeb, that the USian media totally ignores. And that was before the regime started threatening and punishing the media for saying things he does not want to hear.
Unfortunately, the community antenna in the condo building died several years ago. My indoor antenna is not high enough to snag the Canadian news from across the river. If PBS is forced off the air, there will not be an over the air alternative to the commercial networks that only report what has been cleared by the “Ministry of Truth”.
Steve
I say both happen, but the cowed are now very few, clustered around PBS and its ilk, while the clueless flood print, broadcast, and social.
They like to be liked, and even more pay attention to getting attention.