Former President Trump's administration is reportedly on the verge of finalizing an agreement with Ukraine, granting the U.S. access to the country's natural resources in return for billions of dollars in American aid provided during the ongoing conflict with Russia. Trump expressed confidence in the deal's progress, highlighting its significance and Ukraine's positive reception. He emphasized the agreement's potential to recoup U.S. investments and maintain a presence in the region, while also criticizing the Biden administration's handling of the situation, suggesting the war could have been avoided or resolved earlier.
During the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Trump's National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, echoed the sentiment, predicting the imminent signing of the deal. Waltz previously urged Ukraine to soften its criticism of Trump and prioritize economic cooperation with the U.S.
This agreement for access to Ukrainian rare earth minerals forms a crucial part of the broader negotiations aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, following a recent meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Kyiv, described the potential partnership as mutually beneficial, emphasizing its potential to strengthen economic ties between the two nations and ensure a return on U.S. investments in Ukraine.
Despite the progress on the resource deal, tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy remain high. Trump has criticized Zelenskyy's negotiating tactics and expressed frustration with the lack of progress in peace talks with Russia. He described Zelenskyy as having "no cards" to play in the negotiations and criticized the Ukrainian president's handling of the conflict. Trump also recounted Bessent's recent trip to Ukraine to discuss the mineral agreement, which ultimately failed to produce a deal, calling it a dangerous and unproductive endeavor.
While the proposed agreement offers potential economic benefits and security assurances for Ukraine, the strained relationship between Trump and Zelenskyy adds complexity to the ongoing negotiations and the broader effort to resolve the conflict.
