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Trump Seeks Fast-Track Deal with Kyiv
Reuters
Reuters
The Trump administration is pushing for a quick minerals deal with Ukraine after Zelenskyy rejected a U.S. proposal granting Washington 50% of Ukraine’s critical resources. Trump wants an agreement before approving more aid or pursuing peace talks with Russia.
The U.S. is seeking a new agreement with Ukraine that would allow Washington access to critical minerals, which are essential for electric vehicles, defense, and technology production.
🔹 Zelenskyy rejected the initial proposal, saying it was too focused on U.S. interests and lacked security guarantees for Ukraine.
🔹 Trump wants a deal finalized before considering further military aid or pursuing peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
🔹 Trump's envoy, Keith Kellogg, is in Kyiv this week to discuss revised terms. Zelenskyy said he would meet him on Thursday and emphasized the need for constructive cooperation with the U.S.
A Trump adviser, speaking anonymously, criticized Zelenskyy’s position, saying, “We need to get this guy back to reality.”
Tensions Over Ukraine Aid and Resource Control
The widening rift between Trump and Zelenskyy has put the deal under added scrutiny.
🔹 Trump called Zelenskyy a "dictator without elections" following the Ukrainian leader’s claim that Trump was influenced by Russian disinformation.
🔹 Trump insists that U.S. investments in Ukraine should yield financial returns, saying that allowing U.S. access to $500 billion worth of Ukrainian mineral resources would help "get this money back" for American taxpayers.
🔹 Sources say the White House wants to publicly demonstrate that U.S. aid is being repaid, making this deal a priority for the administration.
Ukraine Open to a Deal, But on Different Terms
Despite rejecting the initial proposal, Kyiv is willing to negotiate.
🔹 A new deal must not appear as "rapacious" as the original, according to a source familiar with the discussions.
🔹 Some Ukrainian officials acknowledge that the U.S. has made major financial contributions to Ukraine’s war effort and believe Washington deserves preferential access to mineral resources.
🔹 Experts say Ukraine may extend similar offers to other key allies, including Canada, Britain, Japan, and the European Union.
Competing Interests Over Ukraine’s Resources
The U.S. is not the only country interested in Ukraine’s natural wealth.
🔹 Russia has already seized 20% of Ukraine’s territory, including rare earth deposits.
🔹 Moscow’s forces are now within 4 miles of a major lithium reserve, a resource essential for global battery production.
🔹 Zelenskyy has raised concerns about whether mineral deposits in occupied regions could fall under Russian control, benefiting Vladimir Putin, Iran, North Korea, and China.
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