Zelensky was given ‘an hour’ to accept US rare earths proposal, says Economist
Kiev has turned down Washington's offer to trade essential minerals for military assistance. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The Ukrainian leader turned down Trump's proposal to exchange vital minerals for military aid.
According to sources cited by The Economist, the US gave Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky only “an hour” to agree to a plan that would allow Washington access to the country's rare minerals. This proposal was presented by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during a visit to Kiev last week.
The report indicates that Zelensky had anticipated the meeting would revolve around ongoing financial support; however, Bessent instead insisted that Ukraine allow the United States access to its complete reserves of critical resources.
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump stated that he had requested the “equivalent of $500 billion worth of rare earths” from Ukraine in exchange for what he estimated to be “more than $300 billion” in aid that Washington has provided to Kiev since the conflict with Russia intensified in 2022.
Zelensky declined Bessent’s proposal and suggested that further dialogue occur at the Munich Security Conference, as noted by The Economist. Nevertheless, during the event on Saturday, Zelensky once again refused to endorse the deal, which allegedly would give the US rights to 50% of Ukraine’s mineral reserves, telling reporters that it was “not ready yet.” Seeking a “better deal,” he is reportedly focused on enhancing terms according to the Financial Times.
Earlier, Zelensky had introduced a similar concept as part of his “victory plan,” a five-point strategy made public in October. This plan proposed that Kiev and Washington collaboratively utilize Ukraine’s critical resources while the US continued military support and implemented non-nuclear strategic deterrence.
NBC reported on Saturday that Washington might send troops to Ukraine to “guard” the rare earths it seeks as repayment for aid. US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz indicated that Washington expects reimbursement from Kiev for the “investments” it has made during the conflict.
Ukraine is known to have substantial deposits of rare earth elements, including lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, erbium, and yttrium, which are crucial for a variety of technologies such as lighting, batteries, nuclear energy, and lasers. However, Zelensky recently acknowledged that around 20% of mineral-rich territory is currently under Russian control.
Moscow has expressed disapproval of the prospective deal. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated last week that it would breach Ukraine’s constitution, which declares that the country’s natural resources belong to its people.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov characterized the proposal as a “commercial transaction,” adding that “it would be better not to provide aid at all thus facilitating an end to the conflict.”
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
According to sources cited by The Economist, the US gave Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky only “an hour” to agree to a plan that would allow Washington access to the country's rare minerals. This proposal was presented by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during a visit to Kiev last week.
The report indicates that Zelensky had anticipated the meeting would revolve around ongoing financial support; however, Bessent instead insisted that Ukraine allow the United States access to its complete reserves of critical resources.
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump stated that he had requested the “equivalent of $500 billion worth of rare earths” from Ukraine in exchange for what he estimated to be “more than $300 billion” in aid that Washington has provided to Kiev since the conflict with Russia intensified in 2022.
Zelensky declined Bessent’s proposal and suggested that further dialogue occur at the Munich Security Conference, as noted by The Economist. Nevertheless, during the event on Saturday, Zelensky once again refused to endorse the deal, which allegedly would give the US rights to 50% of Ukraine’s mineral reserves, telling reporters that it was “not ready yet.” Seeking a “better deal,” he is reportedly focused on enhancing terms according to the Financial Times.
Earlier, Zelensky had introduced a similar concept as part of his “victory plan,” a five-point strategy made public in October. This plan proposed that Kiev and Washington collaboratively utilize Ukraine’s critical resources while the US continued military support and implemented non-nuclear strategic deterrence.
NBC reported on Saturday that Washington might send troops to Ukraine to “guard” the rare earths it seeks as repayment for aid. US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz indicated that Washington expects reimbursement from Kiev for the “investments” it has made during the conflict.
Ukraine is known to have substantial deposits of rare earth elements, including lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, erbium, and yttrium, which are crucial for a variety of technologies such as lighting, batteries, nuclear energy, and lasers. However, Zelensky recently acknowledged that around 20% of mineral-rich territory is currently under Russian control.
Moscow has expressed disapproval of the prospective deal. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated last week that it would breach Ukraine’s constitution, which declares that the country’s natural resources belong to its people.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov characterized the proposal as a “commercial transaction,” adding that “it would be better not to provide aid at all thus facilitating an end to the conflict.”
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
