Zelensky Rejects U.S. Demand for Rare Minerals as Tensions Rise
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| Trump to Ukraine: Hand Over Resources or Face Consequences |
Back in October, Zelensky suggested the possibility of such an arrangement. Earlier this month, Trump demanded $500 billion worth of these resources as repayment for U.S. aid during Ukraine's ongoing conflict with Russia. Speaking from the White House on Friday, Trump stated, "We're going to either sign a deal or there's gonna be a lot of problems with [Ukraine]." He expressed hope that an agreement would be reached soon, ensuring the U.S. recoups "four or five hundred billion dollars back."
Trump criticized former President Joe Biden's approach to Ukraine, accusing him of simply handing over money without securing returns. In contrast, Trump claims European nations are providing aid to Kyiv in the form of loans, ensuring reimbursement.
Reports suggest that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent gave Zelensky a mere hour to accept the proposal during a recent visit to Kyiv. Zelensky declined, seeking a deal that ties security guarantees to investments. An unnamed official described the current proposal as "colonial." White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes accused Zelensky of being "short-sighted" about the opportunity presented by the Trump administration.
Amid these tensions, a senior Ukrainian lawmaker claimed that the U.S. has halted weapons sales to Kyiv. Additionally, there are allegations that the U.S. has threatened to cut off Ukraine's access to Elon Musk's Starlink internet service if it doesn't comply with the minerals deal.
According to a 2024 World Economic Forum report, Ukraine holds significant potential as a global supplier of critical raw materials essential for defense, technology, and green energy sectors. However, many of these resources are located in regions that joined Russia in 2022, complicating the situation further.