Archive Photo: Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held at Trump Tower in New York City, USA, September 2024 27th.
Shannon Stapleton | Reuters
According to media reports, Ukraine and the United States reached an agreement on obtaining deposits for rare earth minerals in Kiev as Kiev seeks major wartime transatlantic allies under the Trump administration to strengthen its ties.
The draft agreement envisions that the two countries will jointly develop Ukraine’s mineral resources, including oil and gas, and consider the United States’ claim on potential income of the agreement, According to the Financial Timesthe company first reported the deal on Tuesday.
U.S. President Donald Trump appears to have confirmed progress on the deal, which has not been reached.
“I heard (there is a deal), I heard (Ukrainian President Vodimir Zelensky) came on Friday,” Trump Tell reporters in the Oval Office Tuesday.
He added: “I can of course if he wants to, and he wants to sign with me. I know it’s important, it’s important.”
Trump said the agreement provided aid and “many equipment and military equipment, as well as the initial right to combat,” he said.
According to the Financial Times, the text of the deal does not provide specific security guarantees for Ukraine, which is a key issue in Kiev, as it appears to be the future of the post-war future, in which it has been further affected Russian invasion.
CNBC has contacted the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. State Department. Neither CNBC nor NBC News saw a copy of the “Framework Agreement”.
Bloomberg News and Sky News also reported terms of the agreement.
It is unclear how much mineral wealth is in Ukraine, although a Ukrainian official from the Ministry of Economic Affairs said over the weekend that $350 billion of natural resources are located in Russian-occupied territory. Kyiv independents reported on Sunday.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna reportedly led negotiations between Washington and Kiev on a mineral agreement and told the Financial Times on Tuesday that “we listened from the U.S. government many times.” Say, this is part of a larger scope.”
“Ukraine, I would say they are brave, they are good soldiers, but without the United States and its money and military equipment, the war will end in a very short time.”
Safety assurance
Yuriy Sak, an advisor to Ukraine’s strategic industry department, told the BBC on Wednesday that the deal was not exactly what the United States or Ukraine wanted, but was “enough to move forward in the negotiation process.”
He told the BBC, adding that discussions about security assurances need to continue.
“It doesn’t make sense if the Russians can re-sign any agreement on key minerals one month after signing the deal,” he said.
Since the President Donald TrumpInauguration ceremony in January. The president initially proposed that Kiev should grant 50% ownership of rare earth minerals to the United States to make up for its military aid to Ukraine. Trump also claimed in an interview that a deal would give the United States access Rare earth minerals worth $500 billion This will be the reward for the aid Kyiv has received.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy questioned the amount of wartime aid the United States has given Ukraine, bringing that number to about $100 billion. Independent analysis Kiel World Economics will work on Ukraine’s U.S. support of €114.2 billionor $119.5 billion.
Zelenskyy told Ukraine: Ukraine: 2025 Annual Forum, I want to know what Ukraine can get, and security assurance and contingency after the end of the hot phase of the war. Russia invaded Ukraine.
“For American businesses and the Ukrainian people, a win-win agreement should be obtained,” he added in a comment translated by NBC News. “I have not signed what 10 generations of Ukrainians will pay off.”
U.S. President Donald Trump (CL) shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (CR) at a ceremony in central Paris on December 7, 2024.
Ludovic Marin | AFP | Getty Images
“About $500 billion. Let’s deal with that number first. I know we have $100 billion. That’s a fact. I won’t admit $500 billion… The second thing, honestly, I’m not even fixing 1000 $100 million, I will explain why.
Zelenskyy also noted that any aid Ukraine is still receiving is the legacy of the U.S. government under Joe Biden, adding: “From what I understand, I know that this deal has new conditions for aid. .”
Last week in a separate comment Zelenskyy says he can’t “sell” his country Moreover, the initial proposal of the United States did not provide security assurances to Ukraine.
Ukrainian leader It was reported that his minister was ordered not to sign any transactions last week. Say the proposal Too focused on American interests And the Ukraine offers little reward.
