U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the United States is \"pretty close\" to finalizing a deal with Ukraine to share revenue from the country's rare earth minerals and other natural resources. This move is part of ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict between the two nations. 🌍💼
However, sources reveal that the current draft of the agreement might not meet the expectations of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A source familiar with the negotiations told CNN, \"It is a strange offer to try and take from a country that is a victim of war, more than it costs to pay for its defense.\" Despite continued work on the document, progress has stalled over the lack of \"security guarantees.\" 🔒🤔
Zelenskyy has pushed back against demands from Trump's administration for $500 billion in mineral wealth from Ukraine to repay three years of U.S. aid. He emphasized that the U.S. has not provided specific security guarantees in return. Nevertheless, both Ukrainian and U.S. teams are still collaborating on finding common ground. 🛡️💬
The proposed agreement aims to have Washington receive 50% of Ukraine's critical minerals, including graphite, uranium, titanium, and lithium—the latter being essential for electric car batteries. This deal could significantly reduce U.S. dependency on other global suppliers. ⚡🚗
Ukrainian negotiators are seeking amendments to ensure that American obligations are included, as the current draft primarily expects Ukraine to supply the minerals without reciprocal commitments. 📝🔄
Amidst these negotiations, Trump aides met with senior advisers to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the conflict. This move has drawn criticism from Zelenskyy for excluding Ukraine and other European allies from the talks. Trump defended the discussions, dismissing Zelenskyy’s concerns and labeling his negotiation stance as having \"no cards.\" 🗣️🌐
Rare earth elements are crucial for various technologies, from smartphones to defense systems. According to a U.S. official, the deal would not only provide financial benefits but also offer security guarantees for Ukraine. 📱🔧
Professor Cui Zheng from Liaoning University highlighted the strategic importance of rare earths, noting that the U.S. currently relies heavily on imports from the Chinese mainland. He explained, \"China holds a dominant position in the global rare earth supply chain, while the U.S. depends on imports for critical minerals. This deal could reduce that dependency and ensure a stable supply for U.S. industries.\" 🏭🌐
As negotiations continue, the potential agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine could reshape the global mineral trade and have long-term implications for both nations. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story! 🚀📈
Reference(s):
Trump says close to minerals deal with Ukraine. Will Zelenskyy accept?
cgtn.com
