Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Washington on Friday to finalise a major minerals deal with US President Donald Trump, as reported by Reuters. The negotiations which have been going on for months have also been considered a strategic decision to continue to get American support, especially as Trump has shown interest in ending the war with Russia.
Critical meeting for US-UK relations
Two sources who are familiar with the matter have confirmed to Reuters that both countries have given approval for a draft agreement and have suggested signing it. While speaking to Reuters, Trump called it a ‘’very big deal’’ and highlighted that the American taxpayer would get a return on investment. ‘’What we are doing now we are saying, look, we want to be secured,’’ Trump stated. ”The American taxpayer now is going to get their money back, plus.’’
Ukraine’s minerals wealth to be in focus
The agreement will also allow the US to have access to Ukraine’s vast mineral resources, which will consist of 22 out of 34 critical minerals identified by the European Union. These resources like graphite are necessary for electric vehicle batteries and for nuclear reactors and they can be highly profitable. On the other hand, Kyiv has been vigilant towards the terms of the deal. Earlier, Zelensky declined to sign an earlier draft and stated that Washington seeks to control more than $500 billion worth of resources whereas Ukraine has got very little in aid.
Tension between US-Ukraine ties
Trump has planned the deal with a broader approach to resolve the war but there are concerns about what Ukraine will get in exchange. When asked, Trump has validated that ‘’$350 million already provided’’ and military support has been continued. However, it has not been clear whether the agreement will comprise a solid US security guarantee which is a major demand from Kyiv. This meeting will take place after a heated exchange between the two leaders last week. Trump has called Zelensky an unpopular ‘’dictator’’ who should settle for a deal or risk losing Ukraine. Zelensky opposed his remark by accusing Trump of living in a ‘’disinformation bubble’’.
Moreover, Trump has also recommended positioning peacekeeping forces in Ukraine if a ceasefire deal is committed but it has been disapproved by Moscow. Meanwhile, European allies have been caught off guard because of a shift in Trump’s move.
(With inputs from Reuters)