US, Ukraine to sign minerals deal, but security issues unsettled

President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be signing a deal that will give the United States substantial rights to Kyiv’s lucrative rare earth minerals. This agreement will also include compensation for the weapons that the US has sent to Ukraine to support their fight against Russia’s three-year war of aggression.

During the first Cabinet meeting of his new presidential term, Trump stated that Zelenskyy will be visiting the White House on Friday to sign the pact and discuss the current state of the war. Trump expressed his belief that this deal will bring great wealth to the US, but his main priority is to end the ongoing conflict which has resulted in the deaths and injuries of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians from both Russia and Ukraine.

Trump emphasized the importance of getting paid back for the more than $100 billion worth of munitions that the US has provided to Ukraine. He stated that without this equipment, the war would have been over quickly with Russia taking control of even more of Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory. Currently, Russia holds about a fifth of Ukraine’s land and has made it clear that they have no intention of giving it back in any potential peace settlement.

The US President expressed his confidence in reaching a deal with both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the fighting. He also revealed that he initiated talks with Putin about ending the conflict, but the first discussions between the top US and Russian diplomats last week did not include Ukrainian or European officials.

Trump declared that his election as President will bring an end to this war. He also stated that Putin had no intention of settling the conflict, but he is determined to reach a deal. However, he made it clear that Ukraine should not expect to join NATO, the main military alliance of the West, as part of any peace settlement.

Meanwhile, in Kyiv, Zelenskyy confirmed that the framework for the rare earth mineral deal has been completed. However, he mentioned that the US security guarantees for Ukraine, which the Kyiv government considers vital, still need to be settled.

Trump has previously expressed skepticism about continuing US military support for Ukraine. Last year, he refused to say whether he wants Ukraine to win the war. He has also referred to Zelenskyy as a dictator, without placing any blame on Putin for the invasion.

The US President has been vocal about his disapproval of his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, agreeing to provide military assistance to Ukraine without any provision for repayment. Biden led the coalition of Western allies in providing this aid as a way to fight Russian aggression without sending their own troops to fight alongside Ukrainian forces.

Zelenskyy has clarified that the US military aid was a grant and not a loan that needed to be repaid. However, he has now agreed to the deal for rare earth minerals, which are essential for manufacturing technology products. He also expressed his expectation of having substantive discussions with Trump during his visit to the White House.

The Ukrainian leader stated that he wants to coordinate with the US and is keen to know whether the US plans to halt military aid. If so, he wants to know if Ukraine will be able to purchase weapons directly from the US. He also wants to know if Ukraine can use frozen Russian assets for weapons investments and if the US plans to lift economic sanctions on Russian entities and high-level associates and friends of Putin.

The agreement between the US and Ukraine includes investing 50% of the proceeds from Ukraine’s minerals, oil, and gas to create a stable and economically prosperous country if the war is ended. The other half will go to a US-controlled fund.

According to reports, the economic agreement also includes a line stating that the US supports Ukraine’s efforts to obtain security guarantees needed to establish lasting peace, although it does not specify the details of these guarantees.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is meeting with Trump on Wednesday in Washington to discuss a European initiative for a 30,000-person peacekeeping force that would enforce a Russian ceasefire with Ukraine, if a truce can be reached. However, no peace talks have been scheduled yet.

European leaders have stated that a peacekeeping force would require an American “backstop” of military assistance, such as satellite surveillance, air defense, or air force support. While Trump has not committed to this plan, he did mention that a peacekeeping force would be a good thing.

In conclusion, the signing of this deal between

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