Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected a proposal from the Trump administration that would grant 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 a form of repayment for American support during Ukraine’s war with Russia. However, Zelenskyy felt that the agreement did not provide adequate security guarantees for Ukraine.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent first proposed the draft agreement to Zelenskyy, but the Ukrainian president did not feel it was ready to protect Ukraine’s interests. U.S. officials expressed disappointment in Zelenskyy’s decision, believing that a partnership with the U.S. would help safeguard Ukraine against future aggression.
The proposal included the possibility of deploying American troops to Ukraine to guard the minerals, but only after a deal with Russia to end the war was in place. Ukraine has significant reserves of titanium and iron ore, crucial for technology products, but much of these resources are currently in areas controlled by Russian troops.
Zelenskyy has previously expressed support for exchanging critical resources for continued U.S. support, as part of a “Victory Plan” presented to Trump in a meeting last fall. In an interview at the Munich Security Conference, Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of U.S. support for Ukraine’s survival, while Trump has questioned the level of American support for the country.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
