Scholz of Germany Criticizes Trump’s Recent Demands on Ukraine
Olaf Scholz has deemed Donald Trump’s suggestion for Ukraine to supply rare-earth minerals in exchange for assistance as “very selfish.” Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has criticized US President Donald Trump’s demand for rare-earth minerals from Ukraine in exchange for continued support, labeling the request as “very selfish.”
On Monday, Trump suggested that the US should require access to Ukraine’s valuable rare-earth resources as a condition for maintaining military aid, which has already totaled tens of billions of dollars from Washington. He indicated that the US had provided more military and economic assistance to Ukraine compared to EU countries, stating: “We’re looking to do a deal with Ukraine where they’re going to secure what we’re giving them with their rare earth and other things.”
This proposition was met with strong condemnation from Scholz, who contended that it would be “very selfish, very self-centered” to leverage Ukraine’s resources to fund defense support. The chancellor emphasized that the profits from these rare-earth metals should instead be used to aid in Ukraine’s recovery following the conflict.
Scholz remarked, “It’s about Ukraine being able to finance its reconstruction,” after attending an informal EU summit in Brussels. He highlighted the substantial tasks ahead in light of the extensive destruction caused by the war, stressing that the country's resources ought to be directed toward meeting the needs of post-war rebuilding.
Ukraine is known to have significant reserves of rare-earth minerals such as lithium, titanium, and graphite, all of which are crucial for numerous high-tech industries.
Trump’s remarks followed indications from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had expressed a willingness to work with Western allies on managing these resources. In his so-called “victory plan,” Zelensky mentioned the possibility of a special agreement with Western nations, including the US, concerning “the joint protection of critical resources available in Ukraine, joint investment, and subsequent use of the corresponding economic potential.”
In November, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed that US policymakers are looking to gain control over Ukraine due to its vast economic resources, asserting that “There is a struggle for resources, and ultimately – a struggle for influence.” He reiterated that Russia is not focused on Ukraine’s resources but rather on the welfare of its people, stating, “We care about people, not about natural resources that some people in the US would like to take for themselves and would like to have Ukrainians as servants ‘sitting’ on these natural resources.”
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
On Monday, Trump suggested that the US should require access to Ukraine’s valuable rare-earth resources as a condition for maintaining military aid, which has already totaled tens of billions of dollars from Washington. He indicated that the US had provided more military and economic assistance to Ukraine compared to EU countries, stating: “We’re looking to do a deal with Ukraine where they’re going to secure what we’re giving them with their rare earth and other things.”
This proposition was met with strong condemnation from Scholz, who contended that it would be “very selfish, very self-centered” to leverage Ukraine’s resources to fund defense support. The chancellor emphasized that the profits from these rare-earth metals should instead be used to aid in Ukraine’s recovery following the conflict.
Scholz remarked, “It’s about Ukraine being able to finance its reconstruction,” after attending an informal EU summit in Brussels. He highlighted the substantial tasks ahead in light of the extensive destruction caused by the war, stressing that the country's resources ought to be directed toward meeting the needs of post-war rebuilding.
Ukraine is known to have significant reserves of rare-earth minerals such as lithium, titanium, and graphite, all of which are crucial for numerous high-tech industries.
Trump’s remarks followed indications from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had expressed a willingness to work with Western allies on managing these resources. In his so-called “victory plan,” Zelensky mentioned the possibility of a special agreement with Western nations, including the US, concerning “the joint protection of critical resources available in Ukraine, joint investment, and subsequent use of the corresponding economic potential.”
In November, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed that US policymakers are looking to gain control over Ukraine due to its vast economic resources, asserting that “There is a struggle for resources, and ultimately – a struggle for influence.” He reiterated that Russia is not focused on Ukraine’s resources but rather on the welfare of its people, stating, “We care about people, not about natural resources that some people in the US would like to take for themselves and would like to have Ukrainians as servants ‘sitting’ on these natural resources.”
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
