US‑Ukraine mineral talks stall amid tense Trump-Zelensky meeting
In Washington on Friday, there was a meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky. The presidents were expected to sign an agreement concerning the partnership in the exploitation of Ukraine’s natural resources, but this did not occur. We discuss what the key document, which has been widely debated in recent days, actually contains.
The portal European Truth reported last week, even prior to the meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, that ended with an exchange of words, that the agreement between the United States and Ukraine, expected to be signed, provides for the creation of an Investment Recovery Fund, financed in part from the extraction of resources, including oil and gas, to which Ukraine will contribute 50 per cent of its revenues from these sources.
USA-Ukraine agreement
The document, which was ultimately not signed on Friday, anticipated that the Recovery Fund would not cover Ukraine’s current budget revenues. Instead, the contributions would be reinvested in the national economy and security. Neither party can sell or transfer shares without the other’s consent.
The document also states that the USA will support Ukraine’s economic development in the future. However, the media reported that the agreement does not include American security guarantees, which Kyiv had initially insisted on. Zelensky described the agreement as a “framework agreement,” emphasising that its success hinges on discussions with the U.S. president.
Negotiations fiasco
Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington on Friday to sign an agreement for partnership in resource extraction in Ukraine, which did not materialise. “We have something that is a very fair deal, and we look forward to exploring, exploring, exploring, and working on these rare earth lands. That means we will be there, and it’s a significant commitment from the United States,” said Trump at the beginning of the meeting in the Oval Office.
At a certain point, the atmosphere of the meeting became very tense. Donald Trump told Volodymyr Zelensky that he was not in a position to dictate terms and was not showing respect. He also stated that the Ukrainian president was “playing with World War III.”
“We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE.
He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace,” wrote Donald Trump after the meeting.
Here’s the game
Ukraine’s valuable resources are estimated at £12 trillion, said Andrzej Jagielski, an expert from the State Geological Institute. He said gaining access to Ukrainian resources would enable the USA to break China’s dominance in this sector.
As the expert from the Polish Geological Institute indicated, Ukraine currently holds some of the largest critical resource deposits in Europe, which are essential, for example, for the development of space, military, or energy technologies. The country is one of the ten largest holders of documented titanium deposits, and in terms of lithium, Ukraine has one-third of Europe’s resources. Additionally, the country possesses significant amounts of tantalum, niobium, beryllium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite.
Andrzej Jagielski said that humanity's use of these resources represents a massive leap in civilisational development, which can be compared to transitioning from the Stone Age to the Iron Age.
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