The Ukrainian government confirmed on Monday that it was in the “final stage” of an agreement on selling rare earth minerals to the United States. Invasion.
Announcement of the “final stage” of the transaction, made by Justice Minister Olha Stefanishyna, follows comments by President Volodymyr Zelensky, reluctantly recognises the great rights of Ukrainians who are rich in rare earth minerals or in the future, much debt. I did. . Zelensky's remarks conclude that after a turbulent week in which Trump hinted that he should open his office, Ukraine ultimately rejects such an agreement with Washington I concluded that I put it on.
However, Stefanishyna on Monday claimed that the deal is not only still going on, but is almost complete.
“The Ukraine and the US team are in the final stages of negotiations on the mineral agreement,” she said. I wrote it in a statement about social media. “The negotiations are very constructive and almost all important details are finalized. We are committed to completing this quickly to proceed with this signature.”
That's what Ukraine is house A rich supply of naturally occurring rare earth minerals and other minerals considered important to modern industries. Most coveted is lithium, which is used to make batteries for cell phones and laptops, and uranium, an important nuclear energy product. Ukraine is thought to be inhabited by up to 5% of the world's most well-known and important mineral reserves.
This wealth makes Ukraine an attractive target for China. Before Zelensky was elected president, the Ukrainian government became a member of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a debt trap scheme in which China provides predatory loans for poor countries due to suspected infrastructure projects. It's become. Zelensky embraces China's potential for investment in Ukraine after the war, invites dictator XI Jinping to discuss it, hoping that “Chinese companies” will be interested in rebuilding.
The US's main presence in the Ukrainian mineral industry will likely have a deterrent effect on Chinese investment.
For many years, President Trump enjoyed a positive relationship with Zelensky. Especially during his first term, when the Ukrainian president fasted Trump against a prominent Democrat attempt to bounce him each. Trump is vocally critical of his predecessor Joe Biden's Ukrainian policy, but has denounced both Biden's decision to lift sanctions against Russia – Zelensky opposed the current invasion Just before, and billions of dollars were leaked into the war effort. I can't see a clear purpose.
In early February, Trump began to think of signing a contract with Kiev for access to mineral wealth.
“We say they have incredibly valuable rare earths in Ukraine. We want to do business with Ukraine. They say they are in their rare earths and other things. I'm going to ensure what it's giving them,” Trump told reporters. “We need a guarantee. We give them money and fists.”
“We want to have rare earth safety. We put hundreds of millions of dollars in. They have great rare earths. And I want rare earth safety, and they're happy to do that. I hope for it,” he continued.
In other places, Trump Proposed The US should have access to “$50 billion worth of rare earths,” and Kiev claimed that “I've essentially agreed to do that, so I don't think it's stupid at least.”
Trump's White House estimates show that the US has invested around $300 billion to defend Ukraine from Russian invasions.
President Trump sent Treasury Secretary Scott Bescent on February 12 to discuss rare earth negotiations, among other issues. Zelensky told Bessent that it wants a contract to include Ukraine's American security guarantee to prevent another future invasion.
“We value our partnership with the US, thanking us for our support in protecting our independence and strive to expand our joint capabilities, especially in security,” Zelensky said in a public statement with Bescent. . “Security is important. Moscow and its allies cannot allow Ukraine to gain control, which means we must work together beyond the free world.”
But by this weekend, Zelensky appears to be in public helm, lamenting that he fears significantly increase Ukraine's public debt if absolutely necessary on Sunday.
“If this is necessary and there is no other option, we have to go for it. But my question is, when the US sells weapons to Israel, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, they is 100% profitable,” Zelensky said. Quote As I say. “I want a dialogue with Trump. I want a dialogue. I have not signed that 10 generations of Ukrainians have to pay back.”
Nonetheless, Zelensky said such consultations are necessary “whether we like it because we need help or not.”
AgenceFrance-Presse (AFP) It has been reported On Saturday, Zelensky “not ready” to sign the current mineral trade and Zelensky himself. I insisted The $500 billion agreement is “we're not there anymore,” indicating a smaller agreement is ongoing.
But the US seemed far more positive about the deal, even before Stefanishna confirmed progress in negotiations on Monday. Mike Waltz, the White House National Security Advisor I said Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) this weekend, the mineral agreement with Ukraine was expected to be “due to a very short term” and “Zelensky would sign the deal.” Masu.
