US has offered a new option for rare metals in Ukraine
The US President’s administration Donald Trump is proposing a new, broad-growing agreement on rare metals with Ukraine, Reuters reported, citing sources.
According to him, Kiev should pay to a joint investment fund all revenue from the use of natural resources managed by state and private enterprises on the territory of Ukraine. In an earlier option, it was about half the revenue.
The conditions proposed by Washington are significantly exceeding the agreement discussed before the scandal between Trump and Vice President Jay Vance and Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski in the White House in February.
Zelenski left the White House without a « deal » after a clash with Trump
Finance Minister Scott Bensten has been the leading negotiations from the United States, Reuters said.
The proposal does not mention the United States to acquire ownership of the Ukrainian nuclear power plants, which was mentioned by Trump.
The United States is trying to add Ukrainian NPP to the deal for the extraction of rare materials
The US president said the mineral raw materials deal would help to secure peace by providing the United States in the future a financial share in Ukraine. He also sees in it a way America regain some of the value of military and financial assistance given to Kiev after the start of the war with Russia.
National Security Council spokesman James Hughit declined to confirm the terms of the latter proposal, but said the deal would strengthen the US -Ukraine relations.
| « The metal deal offers Ukraine the opportunity to form lasting economic relations with the United States, which are the basis for long -term security and peace, » Hewitt said. |
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine did not respond to a request for comment.
Ukraine attracts Trump with deposits of 22 of the most valuable metals in the world
An earlier version of the deal offered a joint investment fund in which Ukraine imports 50% of the revenue from future profits from the extraction of natural resources and determined the conditions for their joint development by the US and Ukraine.
Zelenski told reporters on Tuesday that the United States has proposed a « big » new agreement and that its conditions are still being considered by the Ukrainian authorities. On Thursday, he complained that Washington « constantly » was changing the terms of the proposed deal, but added that he did not want the United States to think that Kiev was against the deal.
What are rare earth metals and why they are so sought after
In an interview with Fox News earlier this week, Bensent said the United States « submitted a completed economic partnership document » and that Washington hopes to « move on to full discussion and may even get to sign next week. »
The new proposal envisages the United States to receive the first rights to buy the resources obtained under the agreement and to reimburse all the funds it has provided to Ukraine since 2022, in addition to 4% annual interest rate before Ukraine gain access to the Fund’s profits.
