Ukraine has tried to assure the European Union that it will not depart from its application for accession as a result of negotiations with the United States on a mineral agreementThey are currently at a technical level.
“It should be an association agreement, on equal terms for both parties,” said Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal during a visit to Brussels.
The preliminary version of the agreement, published to the press last month, contains Comprehensive terms That would give the United States a “first offer” and unprecedented control over the natural resources of Ukraine through a Joint investment fund.
According to the FT and Bloomberg, the Board of Directors of the Fund would consist of five members: three nominees in the United States and two appointed by Ukraine. In practice, this would give Washington a Effective veto power in key decisions With respect to new road projects, railways, ports, mines, oil, gas and extraction of critical minerals.
It would be required that Ukraine present all new projects in the background for analysis “as soon as possible,” according to Bloomberg. If the project was rejected, Ukraine would be prevented from offering it to other parts with “materially better” conditions.
In addition, the United States would have the right to reap all fund Annual return of 4% Until the military and financial aid provided to Ukraine was completely recovered. The Kiel Institute for the World Economy Calculate that American support increases to 114 billion euros from the beginning of the great large -scale invasion of Russia.
The “compensation” model has been fundamental for the motivation of Donald Trump to sign the agreement, raising Accusations of exploitation and neo -colonialism.
The provisions are so complete that if they apply, they make Ukraine practically impossible to comply with the EU rules on competition, single market, public contracts and transparency, which are Essential criteria to become a Member State.
On Wednesday, Shmyhal left no doubt that adhesion will always have preference on any commercial agreement.
“We have red lines”The Ukrainian Prime Minister said at a press conference at the end of the EU-Nutânia association.
“First, this is our Constitution. Secondly, these are our European aspirations and our European obligations, so this is another red line. (Third), international legislation.”
Ukraine has created a “special delegation” of experts, backed by international lawyers, to carry out technical negotiations. The conversations will take place in the USA during the weekend and continue next week, focusing on the joint investment fund.
“Then we will see the result of these negotiations,” he said.
“We are quite optimistic because we should find Solutions (on) How to make this agreement an association agreement. I am speaking literally. “
“I think the technical teams will have good cooperation,” he added.
ADVERTISINGNext to her, Marta Kos, the European commissioned for expansion, which supervises the Ukraine candidacy for the EU, seemed Traged with Shmyhal’s red lines.
“The European Commission will support any agreement in the interest of Ukraine,” Marta Kos told reporters. “Today we talked about (the agreement) and we obtained many confirmations that Ukraine will remain on the European road, so I see no danger. “
“More and more, the extension process is considered a security guarantee for Ukraine,” he added.
“All this means that We will discuss everything that happens with the United States, also within the scope of the extension process. “
ADVERTISINGKos said Brussels will try to open the six adhesion posts of Ukraine by the end of the year, a target also shared by kyiv. However, each step requires unanimous support of the 27 member states and Hungary has repeatedly declared his opposition, Even launching a public consultation to collect the opinions of citizens.
“We have talked to the representatives of the Hungarian government and we hope that all the parties involved will show good faith and will to reach an appointment,” said Kos, warning that the internal work of the commission is ultimately conditioned by politics.
“There is currently a consensus among the 26 Member States to advance.“
When asked about Hungary’s position, Shmyhal said his government will do the best possible to implement all necessary reforms and measures, “including those related to the protection of national minorities, a problem that Budapest has repeatedly raised.
ADVERTISING“We have absolutely clear decisions of the European Union and the Member States of the European Union,” he said.
