Trump Warns of Consequences if Ukraine Renegotiates Rare Earths Agreement
U.S. President highlights tensions over proposed minerals deal amid Ukrainian concerns about EU accession.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is attempting to withdraw from a minerals agreement with the United States, suggesting that such a move could lead to significant repercussions for Ukraine.
Trump made these comments while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, referring to Zelenskyy's reported desire to renegotiate the terms of the rare earth minerals deal.
According to Trump, the original agreement was premised on cooperation regarding rare earths, and he expressed discontent over Zelenskyy's intentions to revisit the terms.
"He wants to be a member of NATO.
Well, he was never going to be a member of NATO.
He understands that, so, if he’s looking to renegotiate the deal, he’s got big problems,” Trump stated.
On March 29, Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine would not endorse any minerals agreement that might threaten its aspirations for European Union (EU) membership.
At a press conference in Kyiv, he asserted, "Nothing that could endanger … Ukraine’s accession to the EU can be accepted."
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha echoed the president's sentiment, asserting that Ukraine would reject any conditions that could compromise its security.
"We can see this Russian strategy and will never accept anything that leaves Ukraine weak or defenseless," Sybiha remarked, emphasizing that true peace must be accompanied by strong and long-term security guarantees.
These developments emerge in the wake of Washington's most recent offer concerning the minerals deal, which aims to establish a joint investment fund, allowing the U.S. access to Ukrainian oil, gas, and minerals while sharing the generated revenues.
Zelenskyy indicated that the latest proposal included many revisions and new provisions that had not been part of prior discussions, alongside aspects rejected by both parties in the past.
Moreover, Ukrainian media reported that Ukraine would be seeking additional changes to the agreement, insisting on greater U.S. investment commitments and clarifications regarding the operations of the joint reconstruction fund.
In a parallel development, Russian state media has reported that negotiations are underway between Moscow and Washington regarding a separate rare earth minerals deal.
Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s envoy for international economic and investment cooperation, stated, "Rare earth metals are an important area for cooperation, and we have certainly started discussions about various rare earth metals and projects in Russia."
The original signing date for the minerals agreement was scheduled for February 28, but the talks fell through following a public dispute in the White House, during which U.S. Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelenskyy for perceived ingratitude.
Trump made these comments while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, referring to Zelenskyy's reported desire to renegotiate the terms of the rare earth minerals deal.
According to Trump, the original agreement was premised on cooperation regarding rare earths, and he expressed discontent over Zelenskyy's intentions to revisit the terms.
"He wants to be a member of NATO.
Well, he was never going to be a member of NATO.
He understands that, so, if he’s looking to renegotiate the deal, he’s got big problems,” Trump stated.
On March 29, Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine would not endorse any minerals agreement that might threaten its aspirations for European Union (EU) membership.
At a press conference in Kyiv, he asserted, "Nothing that could endanger … Ukraine’s accession to the EU can be accepted."
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha echoed the president's sentiment, asserting that Ukraine would reject any conditions that could compromise its security.
"We can see this Russian strategy and will never accept anything that leaves Ukraine weak or defenseless," Sybiha remarked, emphasizing that true peace must be accompanied by strong and long-term security guarantees.
These developments emerge in the wake of Washington's most recent offer concerning the minerals deal, which aims to establish a joint investment fund, allowing the U.S. access to Ukrainian oil, gas, and minerals while sharing the generated revenues.
Zelenskyy indicated that the latest proposal included many revisions and new provisions that had not been part of prior discussions, alongside aspects rejected by both parties in the past.
Moreover, Ukrainian media reported that Ukraine would be seeking additional changes to the agreement, insisting on greater U.S. investment commitments and clarifications regarding the operations of the joint reconstruction fund.
In a parallel development, Russian state media has reported that negotiations are underway between Moscow and Washington regarding a separate rare earth minerals deal.
Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s envoy for international economic and investment cooperation, stated, "Rare earth metals are an important area for cooperation, and we have certainly started discussions about various rare earth metals and projects in Russia."
The original signing date for the minerals agreement was scheduled for February 28, but the talks fell through following a public dispute in the White House, during which U.S. Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelenskyy for perceived ingratitude.
