Trump announces intention to renew deal with Ukraine on rare earth minerals

Donald Trump, photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo

US President Donald Trump has said that he intends to renew the agreement with Ukraine on rare earth minerals.

He noted that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent «was treated rather rudely» during his visit to Kyiv. The Ukrainian side rejected the proposed draft agreement on the extraction of rare earth minerals, CNN reports.

«Scott Bessent went there and he was treated quite rudely because they basically told him «no», and Zelensky was sleeping and couldn't meet with him. He spent many hours on the train, which is a dangerous trip, and we're talking about the Minister of Finance. He went there to sign the document, and when he got there, he came back empty. They didn't sign the document,» Donald Trump said.

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He stressed that he plans to return to this agreement, otherwise, according to him, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will «not be very happy». At the same time, Donald Trump reiterated his call for elections in Ukraine to be held despite martial law.

When asked whether he really intends to renew the deal, Donald Trump said:

«Yeah, I think I'm going to renew that deal, you know, we'll see what happens, but I'm going to resurrect it, otherwise things are not going to make him too happy. And look, it's election time,» he stressed.

The US president also reiterated his doubts about the control over US financial aid to Ukraine.

«I would like to know about all the money that we have been sending to Ukraine. Where is it?» he said.

Earlier, Donald Trump said that he would like to conclude a deal under which Ukraine would supply the US with rare earth minerals needed for electronics production in exchange for US aid.

However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticised Donald Trump's proposal to provide Ukraine with military assistance in exchange for its minerals.

Subsequently, US President Donald Trump said that Ukraine had agreed to provide Washington with access to rare earth minerals worth $500 billion.

It should be noted, however, that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused to sign an agreement to grant the US access to rare earth minerals. The White House called this decision «short-sighted».

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the United States might consider investing in mining on the Black Sea shelf, which is currently under Russian occupation.