Germany's Foreign Minister from Kiev: We will make it clear to the American side that we should not fall prey to Putin's stumbling tactics

The German diplomat, who has been on her ninth trip to Ukraine since the launch of full occupation by the Kremlin in February 2022, said she believes Kiev is willing to sign a peace agreement between the intensifying of the United States-led negotiations.

At the upcoming meeting of NATO foreign ministers, we will make clear to the US side that we should not fall prey to Putin's stumbling tactics”, she said in a statement after arriving in the Ukrainian capital on 1 April.

Backock's statement comes after US President Donald Trump threatened Russia with new tariffs on oil products if Moscow blocks its ceasefire initiatives, while also said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would face “major problems if Moscow did not sign a deal on critical minerals with Washington, it follows. Periscope.

“He is trying to withdraw from the deal on rare minerals, and if he does so, there will be big problems”, Trump told reporters on March 30th, referring to the Ukrainian president.

We made a deal for rare minerals. And now he's saying, "You know, I want to renegotiate the deal." He wants to be a NATO member, but will never be a NATO member. He understands this”, Trump added.

On March 28th, the Ukrainian government said it is still considering a draft agreement by the United States on the country's rare minerals, amid reports that Washington had changed the terms of the agreement several times.

Ukraine's Economy Minister, Yulia Svrydenko, announced at a government meeting that Kiev is preparing its stance on the agreement, but MPs will express their position only when a consensus is reached. Before that, she said, public discussion would be harmful.

Ukraine has considerable deposits of critical minerals, including rare minerals, although the exact amount remains uncertain. These minerals are very valuable for their use in defence technologies as well as in devices such as computers, smart phones, and batteries.

Ukraine and the United States agreed earlier this month on a comprehensive deal to develop Ukraine's critical mineral resources. Efforts to finalise the deal had failed earlier February 28th after a tense clash between Trump and Zelensky at the White House.

Meanwhile, earlier on March 30th, Trump said he would impose secondary fees of 25 per cent to 50 per cent on Russian oil if he thinks Russian President Vladimir Putin is blocking his efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

Trump said during a phone interview for The NBC was a very angry “” and “irritated” when Putin called for the creation of a transitional government in Ukraine, which could result in the exclusion of President Zelensky.

If Russia and I don't reach an agreement to stop the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it's Russia's fault, which may not be Russia's fault, I'll put secondary tariffs on all the oil that comes out of Russia”, Trump said.

This means that if you buy oil from Russia, you can't do business in the United States”, he added. “will have a 25 per cent fee for all oil, a fee of 25 to 50 percent”.

Trump added that these trade measures would be implemented within a month unless a ceasefire agreement is reached.

This extremely sensitive diplomatic moment comes after the White House announced on March 25th that both Russia and Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire and allow navigation on the Black Sea, as well as not to attack energy facilities together.

Kiev says the ceasefire must enter into force immediately, while Moscow has declared it will respect only after the partial removal of sanctions against Russian companies and banks involved in the international food trade.

Stronger Attitude Toward Putin

Trump's comments mark a change from the softest approach the White House had maintained towards Russia since the American president made the war in Ukraine a foreign policy priority. They also come after he had previously criticised Zelensky, saying he was the tired “” from his wartime management and called him a non-election “dicator”.

Trump told the NBC he wants to talk to Putin this week.

While the United States is leading diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement, Russia has intensified attacks on the town of Harkiwi in Ukraine.

Air strikes in Ukraine's northeast city on April 1st injured three people and caused fire at several industrial buildings, as well as damaged two gardens, officials said.

A day earlier, Kiev accused Moscow of a <x0 crime war” after Russian fears hit a military hospital.

The attack hit Harkivin, Ukraine's second largest city, as part of an attack that also involved a shopping centre, residential buildings and other items, killing two people, according to authorities.

The Ukrainian Army's General Staff accused Russia of “violation of international humanitarian law norms” in its attack, which it termed a “deliberate and targeted”. /Radio Europe Free