MOSCOW, March 28. /TASS/. Ukraine will not recognize Washington’s military aid as a debt, Vladimir Zelensky said at a briefing.
A new US-Ukraine draft agreement on natural agreements stipulates that Kiev should compensate for all the aid, which may exceed $120 bln, the European Pravda news outlet reported, citing a copy of the document.
"Ukraine has received the new draft agreement on natural resources from the US, which is totally different from the previous framework agreement. Ukraine will not recognize the United States military aid as a debt," Zelensky said. "We are grateful for support but it’s not a loan," he added.
Western media outlets report that the new draft agreement, proposed by Washington, stipulates that a special fund will make it possible for the US to control half of Ukraine’s oil and gas resources, all of its metals and most of the country’s infrastructure facilities, including railways, ports, pipelines and processing plants. In addition, the US would receive all royalties until Ukraine has paid at least $100 bln for American military aid, in addition to a 4% annual interest rate. Ukraine would start getting 50% of royalties only after paying the debt.
The previous version of the deal was not signed because of a verbal spat between Zelensky and US leaders at the White House. Notably, the deal was initiated by Kiev as it sought to make sure that the new US president, Donald Trump, continues to provide assistance to Ukraine.