Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected a proposal from Trump administration officials granting the United States access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals. The proposal, which would have given the U.S. 50% ownership of the minerals, was seen as inadequate in terms of security guarantees for Ukraine. Zelenskyy declined to sign the agreement during a meeting with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Kyiv, stating that it needed further consideration.
Although U.S. officials believed that the agreement would strengthen the relationship between the two countries and provide security against future aggression, Zelenskyy felt that it was not sufficient for protecting Ukraine’s interests. The U.S. had also signaled a willingness to deploy American troops to guard the minerals, but only after a peace deal was reached with Russia.
President Donald Trump had previously expressed interest in acquiring $500 billion worth of Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, which are crucial for technology products. However, many of these minerals are located in areas controlled by Russian troops, complicating the situation further.
Despite his need for U.S. support, Zelenskyy has faced criticism from Trump regarding the amount of assistance provided to Ukraine. Zelenskyy has advocated for exchanging critical resources for continued U.S. support, presenting the idea as part of a “Victory Plan.” The Ukrainian president emphasized the importance of U.S. support for his country’s survival and strategic interests, but the disagreement over the rare earth minerals deal highlights ongoing tensions in the relationship between the two nations.
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