Scholz condemns Trump's rare earth deal suggestion with Ukraine
The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, emphatically commented on Donald Trump's statements suggesting that Ukraine should provide the U.S. with valuable resources in exchange for continued military assistance and weapon supplies.
- We’re looking to do a deal with Ukraine where they’re going to secure what we’re giving them with their rare earths and other things - said Donald Trump during a conversation with journalists in the Oval Office.
These are metals essential for the production of smartphones, electric cars, and other high-tech industry products. According to the plan, Kyiv would supply the U.S. with valuable resources in return for further American assistance in the war with Russia. Trump emphasised that Ukraine is "ready to do this."
The U.S. President also took a jab at his predecessor, accusing Joe Biden of never asking Ukraine to settle the scores. - He was just giving away money - announced Trump on Monday.
Scholz criticises Trump
The proposal from Trump was addressed by the German Chancellor. At the conclusion of the summit in Brussels, Olaf Scholz stated that forcing Ukraine to use its resources to finance U.S. support was "very selfish, very self-centred".
"It's about Ukraine being able to finance its reconstruction. This is the main task, given the enormous destruction. Therefore, Ukraine's resources must be used to finance everything that is needed after the war," Scholz noted, as quoted by the German daily "Tagesschau".
