Zelenskyy on rare earth minerals deal with US: 'We are still talking'
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine is continuing its dialogue with the United States on a rare earth minerals agreement, with discussions still ongoing, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's speech at the main session of the Munich Security Conference.
"We are still talking. In our history, there have been a lot of dialogues with different American administrations. Even in the first year of my term in 2019," he said.
The head of state added that discussions with the American side are ongoing.
Agreement on rare earth minerals
The United States is in talks with Ukraine regarding a strategic partnership agreement. The proposal was presented to the Ukrainian side by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who visited Ukraine this week.
According to media reports, the agreement includes US access to strategically important rare earth metals in Ukraine.
Ukraine was tasked with finalizing the draft agreement. On February 14, the Ukrainian delegation in Munich informed RBC-Ukraine that Ukraine had submitted the revised memorandum to the US.
That same day, a Washington Post journalist reported that the US had allegedly proposed Ukraine hand over rights to half of its rare earth minerals. According to the report, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused to sign the agreement.
NBC News also stated that Trump's team had suggested Ukraine grant the US a 50% stake in rare earth metals but expressed willingness to deploy American troops to protect the deposits.
