🇺🇦🇺🇸 Ukraine has greenlit a deal with the US to establish a Reconstruction Investment Fund, built on 5 key principles: 50/50 partnership, Ukraine retains control over resources, no debt, guaranteed investors, and alignment with EU goals. PM Shmyhal just confirmed this move will drive growth and bring in new technologies.

The US and Ukraine have signed an agreement on natural resources, according to a journalist from Bloomberg, citing sources.

🚨 DONE DEAL: The US and Ukraine have signed a deal granting the US privileged access to Ukraine's natural resources, including aluminum, graphite, oil, and natural gas. This agreement aims to solidify Trump's support in ceasefire talks with Russia.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-30/us-and-ukraine-sign-agreement-on-access-to-natural-resources

The US treasury also confirmed the deal.

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0126

The Investment Fund established under the agreement on natural resources will operate as follows:

U.S. Contribution: The United States will contribute to the Fund with both direct financial resources and potentially additional assistance, such as air defense systems for Ukraine.

Ukraine's Contribution: Ukraine will contribute 50% of the revenue generated from new royalties on new licenses for resource extraction. Ukraine may also make additional contributions if deemed necessary, establishing a long-term partnership for the coming decades.

Investment Focus: The Fund will invest in projects related to the extraction of minerals, oil, and gas, as well as infrastructure and processing projects associated with these industries. Ukraine and the U.S. will jointly determine the specific projects to be funded.

Profit Allocation: For the first ten years, any profits or funds generated by the Investment Fund will not be distributed but instead reinvested into Ukraine for new projects or reconstruction. Specific terms for these reinvestments will be negotiated in the future.

🇺🇸🇺🇦 U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent: The new natural resources agreement signals to Russia that the Trump Administration is committed to a peace process centered on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine. This partnership shows both nations' dedication to Ukraine's long-term recovery and security. No country or individual that supported Russia's military machine will benefit from Ukraine's reconstruction.

Good night, sleep well. See you tomorrow!

Good morning ☀️

Russian losses per 01/05/25 reported by Ukraine's General Staff.

+1230 men
+3 tanks
+11 AFVs
+45 artillery
+1 MLRS
+2 AD systems
+112 UAVs

On the night of May 1, 2025, starting at 19:30 on April 30, Russian forces launched a massive air attack against Ukraine, involving 5 Iskander-M ballistic missiles from Crimea and 170 drones, including strike UAVs and decoy drones. By 08:30, Ukraine confirmed the downing of 74 Shahed-type and other strike drones. Additionally, 68 decoy drones were neutralized without consequences.

In Odesa, a Russian drone attack overnight killed 2 and injured 15, according to Ukraine’s emergency service. A residential building, supermarket, and several cars were damaged. Shahed drones reportedly again formed circles over the Black Sea before striking. This is a new strategy to overwhelm air defense.

Chinese soldiers are already marching in Moscow’s parade rehearsal — officially “neutral,” but enemies in disguise. Xi Jinping is expected to attend the May 9 event marking 80 years since WWII victory. No rational or law-abiding government should legitimize a regime openly violating international law by joining such a parade.

Just after the signing of the mineral deal, Trump administration approves first $50M arms sale to Ukraine through direct commercial sales (DCS). The move signals continued U.S. support despite calls for a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/51800

Senator Lindsey Graham announces broad Senate support for new "bone-crushing" sanctions on Russia, with 72 colleagues backing a bill to impose tariffs up to 500% on nations buying Russian oil, gas, and key products.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-01/graham-says-he-has-broad-senate-support-for-new-russia-sanctions

The new deal between the U.S. and Ukraine focuses on working together to develop natural resources and ramp up military support. The agreement lists 57 minerals, like aluminum, lithium, uranium, and natural gas, that will be part of this partnership. It lays out the rules for future licenses for new mineral deposits, but it doesn’t cover the extraction or profits from other resources that aren’t included.

Importantly, the deal doesn’t put Ukraine under U.S. law, but it creates a joint fund where Ukraine will invest money from mineral sales. The U.S. will also contribute to this fund, including military aid like weapons and training for Ukraine’s military.

The agreement doesn’t give U.S. companies exclusive rights to these minerals, but they will have equal access to auctions and negotiations as other buyers. If there’s any conflict with Ukraine’s EU deals, the agreement says it will be adjusted accordingly.

There’s still a technical agreement being worked out, and Ukraine plans to ratify the deal soon.

Trump shared details of his one-on-one chat with Zelensky at the Vatican. He suggested Ukraine sign a peace deal, given Russia’s strength and scale. Trump also criticized Biden for the Afghanistan pullout, calling it a major leadership failure.

The mineral resources deal includes no security guarantees for Ukraine, – Reuters. The U.S. also made no commitment to provide military aid — if it does, the value will count toward the joint mineral development fund.

https://www.reuters.com/world/kyiv-is-ready-sign-resources-deal-with-us-ukraine-government-source-says-2025-04-30/

Destruction of a Russian Buk-M3 air defense system by a HIMARS strike