Colombian president cites US minerals agreement as proof of Zelensky's ‘stupidity’
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has asserted that Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has been subjected to manipulation by Western powers. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has accused Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky of succumbing to Western influence, characterizing the proposed mineral resources deal between Kiev and the US as “stupidity.”
US President Donald Trump has called for compensation equivalent to up to $500 billion in natural resources for the aid extended to Ukraine. Although the Ukrainian government has expressed skepticism regarding this figure, it has reportedly decided to agree to the deal.
Petro asserted on Wednesday that by agreeing to share profits from the extraction of Ukraine’s mineral resources, including rare-earth metals, Zelensky is effectively surrendering his country to the US.
“They fight with their Slavic brothers and end up giving Ukraine to the Americans,” he wrote on X.
“Zelensky’s stupidity, and I say this clearly, for allowing himself to be manipulated by Western Europeans, who do not know where they are going, whether towards Hitler, or towards nothing.”
The deal, which US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent initially proposed during his recent visit to Kiev, aims to provide the US extensive rights to Ukraine’s natural resources in exchange for military and economic assistance. Following a meeting with Bessent, Zelensky had previously rejected the offer, citing insufficient security guarantees.
Reports indicate that on Tuesday, several media outlets revealed Kiev has now accepted the agreement, with Zelensky expected to travel to Washington this week to formalize the deal.
“I hear that he’s coming on Friday. Certainly, it’s okay with me if he’d like to sign it together with me, and I understand that’s a big deal, very big deal… the American taxpayer now is going to get their money back plus,” Trump commented.
According to the Financial Times, Ukrainian officials agreed to the deal after the US dropped its demand for the $500 billion share of the resource proceeds. Kiev has contested this figure, claiming that Washington has actually provided around $100 billion in aid, predominantly in grants rather than loans.
The reported agreement does not address US security guarantees, a request Zelensky has consistently made.
The final draft, as per the FT, stipulates that Kiev must create a fund and dedicate 50% of the revenue from the future monetization of its state-owned mineral resources, including oil, gas, and related logistics. This fund is intended for investments in Ukrainian industries.
Earlier, Trump stated that Washington has been seeking “rare earth and oil – anything we can get” from Kiev.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
US President Donald Trump has called for compensation equivalent to up to $500 billion in natural resources for the aid extended to Ukraine. Although the Ukrainian government has expressed skepticism regarding this figure, it has reportedly decided to agree to the deal.
Petro asserted on Wednesday that by agreeing to share profits from the extraction of Ukraine’s mineral resources, including rare-earth metals, Zelensky is effectively surrendering his country to the US.
“They fight with their Slavic brothers and end up giving Ukraine to the Americans,” he wrote on X.
“Zelensky’s stupidity, and I say this clearly, for allowing himself to be manipulated by Western Europeans, who do not know where they are going, whether towards Hitler, or towards nothing.”
The deal, which US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent initially proposed during his recent visit to Kiev, aims to provide the US extensive rights to Ukraine’s natural resources in exchange for military and economic assistance. Following a meeting with Bessent, Zelensky had previously rejected the offer, citing insufficient security guarantees.
Reports indicate that on Tuesday, several media outlets revealed Kiev has now accepted the agreement, with Zelensky expected to travel to Washington this week to formalize the deal.
“I hear that he’s coming on Friday. Certainly, it’s okay with me if he’d like to sign it together with me, and I understand that’s a big deal, very big deal… the American taxpayer now is going to get their money back plus,” Trump commented.
According to the Financial Times, Ukrainian officials agreed to the deal after the US dropped its demand for the $500 billion share of the resource proceeds. Kiev has contested this figure, claiming that Washington has actually provided around $100 billion in aid, predominantly in grants rather than loans.
The reported agreement does not address US security guarantees, a request Zelensky has consistently made.
The final draft, as per the FT, stipulates that Kiev must create a fund and dedicate 50% of the revenue from the future monetization of its state-owned mineral resources, including oil, gas, and related logistics. This fund is intended for investments in Ukrainian industries.
Earlier, Trump stated that Washington has been seeking “rare earth and oil – anything we can get” from Kiev.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
