U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he wants a deal with Ukraine. He seeks access to Ukraine’s rare earth resources in exchange for continued U.S. military and economic aid.
U.S. Contributing More Aid Than Europe
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump criticized European nations for not providing as much aid as the U.S. As a result, he wants Ukraine to offer something in return. “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,” he said.
According to Trump, Ukraine’s leadership is open to the agreement. Consequently, the U.S. would gain access to crucial materials needed for the high-tech industry.
Rare Earth Security is a Priority
Trump emphasized the importance of securing these resources. “I want to have security of rare earth,” he stated. “We’re putting in hundreds of billions of dollars. They have great rare earth. And I want security of the rare earth, and they’re willing to do it.”
Talks Continue to End War
Meanwhile, Trump claimed that progress is being made toward ending the war between Ukraine and Russia. “We made a lot of progress on Russia, Ukraine. We’ll see what happens. We’re going to stop that ridiculous war,” he said.
Zelenskyy Opposes U.S.-Russia Talks Without Ukraine
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected any negotiations that exclude Ukraine. Speaking to the Associated Press, he warned, “They may have their own relations, but talking about Ukraine without us — it is dangerous for everyone.”
So far, Zelenskyy’s team has spoken with Trump’s administration, but discussions remain at a “general level.” Nevertheless, he expects in-person meetings soon to work on detailed agreements. “We need to work more on this,” Zelenskyy added.
Overall, Trump’s proposal signals a strategic shift, linking U.S. support to Ukraine’s natural resources while aiming to bring the conflict to an end.