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Ukrainian President Zelensky Shows Reluctance Regarding US Minerals Deal
Dissatisfaction emerges regarding a suggested agreement that would provide preferential access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals during the ongoing tensions between the US and Ukraine.
KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has shown hesitance to endorse a deal that would grant the United States preferential access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals, as reported by a local source.
This proposed agreement is perceived as a form of compensation for the significant assistance provided by the US, which is said to total tens of billions of dollars during former President Joe Biden's tenure.
Mike Waltz, a notable figure from former President Donald Trump's administration and national security adviser, mentioned on Friday that he expected Zelensky would eventually agree to the deal.
However, the specifics of the draft agreement remain undisclosed to the public.
A source close to the Ukrainian presidency remarked, "In its current form, the president is not willing to accept the draft. We are still working on making revisions and enhancing its constructiveness." The source expressed concerns over the ambiguity of American commitments in the agreement, asserting, "There are no clear American obligations regarding guarantees or investments; everything is quite vague, and they aim to extract $500 billion from us."
In response to the provisions of the agreement, the source highlighted the necessity for clarification, asking, "What type of partnership is this? ...And why are we obligated to provide $500 billion? There is no response." Ukraine has suggested several amendments to improve the agreement's clarity and security assurances.
These negotiations take place amid escalating tensions between Zelensky and Trump. Earlier this week, Trump labeled Zelensky a "dictator" in a social media post, complicating diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Ukraine continues to maneuver its foreign policy while seeking security assurances from the United States as part of any agreement related to its natural resources and essential minerals.
This proposed agreement is perceived as a form of compensation for the significant assistance provided by the US, which is said to total tens of billions of dollars during former President Joe Biden's tenure.
Mike Waltz, a notable figure from former President Donald Trump's administration and national security adviser, mentioned on Friday that he expected Zelensky would eventually agree to the deal.
However, the specifics of the draft agreement remain undisclosed to the public.
A source close to the Ukrainian presidency remarked, "In its current form, the president is not willing to accept the draft. We are still working on making revisions and enhancing its constructiveness." The source expressed concerns over the ambiguity of American commitments in the agreement, asserting, "There are no clear American obligations regarding guarantees or investments; everything is quite vague, and they aim to extract $500 billion from us."
In response to the provisions of the agreement, the source highlighted the necessity for clarification, asking, "What type of partnership is this? ...And why are we obligated to provide $500 billion? There is no response." Ukraine has suggested several amendments to improve the agreement's clarity and security assurances.
These negotiations take place amid escalating tensions between Zelensky and Trump. Earlier this week, Trump labeled Zelensky a "dictator" in a social media post, complicating diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Ukraine continues to maneuver its foreign policy while seeking security assurances from the United States as part of any agreement related to its natural resources and essential minerals.
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