Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that Washington was nearing a deal requiring Kiev to hand over 50 percent of its rare earth minerals as the payoff of U.S. aid during Ukraine’s conflict with Russia.
“We’re signing an agreement, hopefully in the next fairly short period of time,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked about a deal for Ukraine’s minerals.
In a video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, “Ukrainian and U.S. teams are working on a draft agreement between our governments. This agreement can add value to our relations — what matters most is getting the details right to ensure it truly works.”
“I look forward to just results,” the Ukrainian leader said.
Trump, whose administration bypassed Ukraine to hold direct talks with the Russian side in pursuit of ending the three-year conflict, has craved Ukraine’s rare earth deposits, which are crucial raw materials for certain high-tech products.
He has also criticised the former Joe Biden administration for providing too much aid to Ukraine but getting nothing in return.
Speaking on Wednesday of the Trump administration’s initial proposal demanding a share of Ukrainian minerals without committing to providing a security guarantee for Ukraine, Zelensky said, “That’s not a serious conversation. I can’t sell our state.”
UNI XINHUA
