France seeks participation in US-Ukraine resource discussions, says minister
Defense chief Sebastien Lecornu has indicated that discussions between Paris and Kiev regarding the latter's minerals have been ongoing since October. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu has announced that Paris has been in discussions with Kiev since October regarding Ukraine’s minerals.
Paris is eager to engage in conversations alongside Washington and Kiev about the development of Ukraine's mineral resources, Lecornu stated. During an interview on Franceinfo radio on Tuesday, he disclosed that France has been actively negotiating with Ukraine since October to secure raw materials essential for its defense industry.
This development coincides with recent negotiations between the US and Ukraine concerning a deal about Ukraine’s mineral assets. Initially, US President Donald Trump sought $500 billion in compensation from Kiev relative to US military and financial assistance, a demand he has reportedly since withdrawn. Additionally, the European Union has shown interest in Ukraine's mineral resources, proposing a separate agreement to ensure access to these key assets.
Lecornu emphasized that France is not pursuing financial compensation from Ukraine, but instead aims to forge long-term agreements for obtaining mineral supplies. “Our defense industry will need a certain number of very key raw materials in our own weapons systems, not for next year, but for the next 30 or 40 years,” he stated. He confirmed that French President Emmanuel Macron has tasked him with ensuring Paris is part of the ongoing negotiations between Washington and Kiev.
This announcement follows Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmigal’s declaration that Kiev has made an agreement with the US regarding minerals. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is expected to visit Washington later this week to sign the deal.
Initially, Zelensky had rejected the US proposal, pointing to insufficient security guarantees. However, Shmigal noted that the revised draft is “better” because it does not allow the US ownership over Ukraine’s subsoil.
Under the proposed agreement, as reported by the Financial Times, Ukraine would have to direct 50% of revenues from the future monetization of state-owned mineral resources, including oil and gas, into a special investment fund that would be jointly managed by the US and Ukraine. Shmigal mentioned that this fund would be strictly utilized for the country's reconstruction.
Additionally, the EU has entered the negotiations concerning Ukraine’s mineral resources. On Monday, EU Strategy Commissioner Stephane Sejourne explained that Brussels has suggested an alternative agreement to ensure access to 21 of the 30 minerals deemed critical for the European economy. He highlighted that the EU aims for a “mutually beneficial” partnership with Ukraine.
Zelensky has maintained that Ukraine will not concede control over its mineral wealth without additional security assurances. He also challenged US estimates regarding total aid to Ukraine, asserting that Washington has provided at most $100 billion in support. Zelensky has clarified that Ukraine would not recognize even that amount as a debt, arguing that the assistance was given as a grant by former US President Joe Biden, with no expectation of repayment.
Much of Ukraine’s mineral wealth is situated in regions that have since become part of Russia, notably the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics. Russian President Vladimir Putin has remarked that Moscow is not interested in the US-Ukraine agreement but is open to partnerships involving rare-earth minerals with American companies.
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
Paris is eager to engage in conversations alongside Washington and Kiev about the development of Ukraine's mineral resources, Lecornu stated. During an interview on Franceinfo radio on Tuesday, he disclosed that France has been actively negotiating with Ukraine since October to secure raw materials essential for its defense industry.
This development coincides with recent negotiations between the US and Ukraine concerning a deal about Ukraine’s mineral assets. Initially, US President Donald Trump sought $500 billion in compensation from Kiev relative to US military and financial assistance, a demand he has reportedly since withdrawn. Additionally, the European Union has shown interest in Ukraine's mineral resources, proposing a separate agreement to ensure access to these key assets.
Lecornu emphasized that France is not pursuing financial compensation from Ukraine, but instead aims to forge long-term agreements for obtaining mineral supplies. “Our defense industry will need a certain number of very key raw materials in our own weapons systems, not for next year, but for the next 30 or 40 years,” he stated. He confirmed that French President Emmanuel Macron has tasked him with ensuring Paris is part of the ongoing negotiations between Washington and Kiev.
This announcement follows Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmigal’s declaration that Kiev has made an agreement with the US regarding minerals. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is expected to visit Washington later this week to sign the deal.
Initially, Zelensky had rejected the US proposal, pointing to insufficient security guarantees. However, Shmigal noted that the revised draft is “better” because it does not allow the US ownership over Ukraine’s subsoil.
Under the proposed agreement, as reported by the Financial Times, Ukraine would have to direct 50% of revenues from the future monetization of state-owned mineral resources, including oil and gas, into a special investment fund that would be jointly managed by the US and Ukraine. Shmigal mentioned that this fund would be strictly utilized for the country's reconstruction.
Additionally, the EU has entered the negotiations concerning Ukraine’s mineral resources. On Monday, EU Strategy Commissioner Stephane Sejourne explained that Brussels has suggested an alternative agreement to ensure access to 21 of the 30 minerals deemed critical for the European economy. He highlighted that the EU aims for a “mutually beneficial” partnership with Ukraine.
Zelensky has maintained that Ukraine will not concede control over its mineral wealth without additional security assurances. He also challenged US estimates regarding total aid to Ukraine, asserting that Washington has provided at most $100 billion in support. Zelensky has clarified that Ukraine would not recognize even that amount as a debt, arguing that the assistance was given as a grant by former US President Joe Biden, with no expectation of repayment.
Much of Ukraine’s mineral wealth is situated in regions that have since become part of Russia, notably the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics. Russian President Vladimir Putin has remarked that Moscow is not interested in the US-Ukraine agreement but is open to partnerships involving rare-earth minerals with American companies.
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
