14 minutes agoTrump set for “) returned money” through deal with Ukraine for minerals
Periskopi(a year ago)
(a year ago)US President Donald Trump has again declared that he wants Ukraine to repay the billions of dollars it has sent to the United States to defend itself against the Russian war. I want them to give us something for all the money we've given them. We're looking for rare land minerals [...]
I want them to give us something for all the money we've given them. We're looking for rare land minerals whatever we can find”, Trump said at the Conference for Political Action, held near Washington.
“I'm trying to restore money”.
Trump has made these comments as negotiations continue between Washington and Kiev on an agreement envisioning American access to Ukraine's minerals, including those necessary for the production of batteries for electric cars and other technological devices.
Trump's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, has travelled to Kiev earlier this week and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and has said later that Zelensky understands how important it is for the US to sign the agreement.
Kellogg praised Zelensky as a man “gist”
Trump has told supporters at the Conservators Conference that he believes the agreement can be reached.
We'll get our money back, because it's not fair”, he said.
We'll see, but I think we're very close to the deal, and it's good if we're close to”
According to a proposed document, the US would gain access to Ukraine's minerals to compensate for the shared aid for Kiev.
Zelensky is reportedly reluctant to sign the agreement in the beginning, but on Saturday it is reportedly considering the possibility of reviewing the latest version of the agreement.
The American daily The New York Times has said some of the conditions are even tougher than in the first draft.
According to the latest proposal, in which the newspaper said it had access, Ukraine would provide US access to minerals worth $500 billion.
Ruslan Stefancuk, chairman of the Ukraine Parliament, has told Ukrainian media that a group will commit to this agreement on February 24th, but that Ukraine wants to accept specific security guarantees, in exchange for access to minerals, according to the New York Times.
Trump's diplomatic strategy towards Russia, including the possibility of organising a summit between him and Russian President Vladimir Putin, has alarmed Ukraine and Europe for the possibility of reaching an agreement that will not benefit them.
The conflict in Ukraine has reached a critical stage on the eve of marking the three-year mark of its departure, as Kiev's military forces are reportedly withdrawing from some of the front line. /Radio Europe Free
