Ukraine finalizes minerals deal with US: PM

KIEV -- Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on Wednesday that Kiev and Washington have finalized a partnership agreement on minerals, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported.

"After two weeks of intensive work on an agreement between the governments of the United States and Ukraine regarding our economic cooperation, we have essentially developed the final version," Shmyhal said.

The document, formally entitled The Agreement on Establishing the Rules and Conditions of the Investment Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, is "directly linked" to security guarantees, without which Kiev does not consider signing the deal, Shmyhal said.

Under the agreement, Ukraine and the United States will establish a joint fund, financed by the revenue from Ukraine's minerals rent, licenses and dividends. The fund will be used to support Ukraine's development, restoration and security, he noted.

The Ukrainian government will soon review the final text of the agreement and authorize ministers to sign it, Shmyhal said.