US brokers mineral deal with Ukraine amid talks to end Russia war
PTC News Desk: Amid peace negotiations, the US President Trump said that the United States has brokered a pivotal minerals deal with Ukraine and President Zelenskyy is expected to visit Washington later this week to officiate the agreement.
"We have pretty much negotiated our deal on rare earths," Trump said adding that some form of peacekeeping force would be necessary in Ukraine if a settlement to end the conflict is reached.
Trump insisted that Ukraine grant access to its rare earth minerals as compensation for the billions of dollars in wartime aid it received under Joe Biden. This agreement is vital for Kyiv’s efforts to maintain US support in its conflict with Russia, bolster relations with the Trump administration, and establish a long-term US security commitment. The White House views the deal as an initial step toward negotiating a ceasefire with Russia.
However, Kyiv initially rejected the original US proposals, citing concerns over inadequate security assurances for Ukraine and the staggering $500 billion cost, which it argued would leave future generations burdened with unsustainable debt. According to a source, Washington later removed this clause along with other terms unfavorable to Ukraine.
What Are Rare Earth Elements?
Rare earth elements are a group of 17 crucial metals used in various consumer technologies, including cell phones, hard drives, and electric and hybrid vehicles. It remains uncertain whether Trump is specifically targeting these elements in Ukraine, which also possesses other valuable minerals such as lithium, titanium, and uranium.
- PTC NEWS
