US pushes for broader control of Ukraine's resources – WP
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
The US insists on gaining control over a broader range of Ukrainian materials as part of a partnership agreement. This includes lithium, graphite, and uranium, which are sometimes confused with rare earth materials, according to The Washington Post.
The publication, citing six individuals familiar with the negotiations, reports that Ukraine is working on a counterproposal for the US regarding access to resources, but with enhanced American security guarantees.
According to WP, the US demand to transfer control over 50% of the country’s mineral resources has outraged Ukrainian and European representatives.
Three senior Ukrainian officials, two European diplomats, and two others familiar with the situation said the US request was made when Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent visited Kyiv this week, becoming the first official from the Trump administration to meet with the Ukrainian leader.
One of the Ukrainian officials told the publication that Ukraine only received the US proposal four hours before Bessent’s meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. During the meeting, Bessent reportedly pressed for the agreement to be signed, but Zelenskyy refused.
According to one of the Ukrainian advisors, the US insists on control over a broader range of materials, including rare metals and strategic resources, such as lithium, graphite, and uranium, which are sometimes confused with rare earth minerals.
Rare earth minerals agreement
It’s worth noting that the US is in talks with Ukraine about a strategic partnership agreement, presented to the Ukrainian side by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who visited Ukraine this week.
As previously mentioned, Ukraine was expected to finalize the agreement. On February 14, the Ukrainian delegation at the Munich Security Conference informed RBC-Ukraine that a revised draft memorandum had been handed over to the US.
On the same day, a Washington Post journalist reported that the US wants Ukraine to transfer control over 50% of rare earth minerals. According to him, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused to sign the agreement.
On the sidelines of the Munich conference, Zelenskyy stated that the agreement is still not ready, and discussions with the US side are ongoing.
