Reuters reports that Ukraine’s President Zelensky initially discussed a minerals deal with then-presidential candidate Donald Trump in September. Ukraine has now agreed to terms of a major deal that would grant the US access to its rare earth minerals deposits. The deal, which would give the US a financial stake in Ukraine, is hoped to ensure protection from the White House in the event of renewed conflict with Russia. Although US President Trump has not confirmed the agreement, he believes it would help American taxpayers recover aid sent to Ukraine during the war. Ukrainian President Zelensky mentioned that the security guarantees he sought had not been finalized, but he sees it as a starting point for future deals.
Key details of the agreement have not been disclosed, but Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated that an “investment fund” would be established for Ukraine’s reconstruction. Both Kyiv and Washington would manage the fund equally, with Ukraine contributing 50% of the proceeds from its mineral resources to the fund. Zelensky acknowledged the fund but stated it was too early to discuss money. Reports suggest that the US would own the maximum allowable amount of the fund under US law. Disagreements over the terms of the minerals deal have strained relations between Trump and Zelensky recently.
Zelensky has been advocating for a security guarantee in the deal, but as of now, no such guarantee has been made. Shmyhal mentioned that the US supports Ukraine’s efforts to secure lasting peace through security guarantees. The deal is expected to be signed soon, with Trump anticipating Zelensky’s signature during a visit to Washington. Ukraine possesses significant deposits of critical raw materials, including graphite, titanium, lithium, and rare earth metals. However, some of these resources have been seized by Russia, leaving around $350 billion worth of resources in occupied territories. Addressing the issue of unexploded mines is crucial before any deal granting the US access to Ukraine’s mineral wealth can proceed. Reuters
Un cuarto de la superficie de Ucrania se estima que está contaminada con minas terrestres, principalmente concentradas en el este del país devastado por la guerra.
¿Cómo ha reaccionado Rusia?
Vladimir Putin aún no se ha pronunciado sobre informes de que los términos de un acuerdo entre EE.UU. y Ucrania han sido acordados.
Pero el lunes por la noche dijo en la televisión estatal que estaba listo para “ofrecer” recursos a los socios estadounidenses en proyectos conjuntos, incluida la minería en las “nuevas territorios” de Rusia – una referencia a partes del este de Ucrania que Rusia ha ocupado desde el lanzamiento de una invasión a gran escala hace tres años.
Putin dijo que un posible acuerdo entre EE.UU. y Ucrania sobre minerales raros no era una preocupación y que Rusia “indudablemente tiene, quiero enfatizar, significativamente más recursos de este tipo que Ucrania”.
“En cuanto a los nuevos territorios, es lo mismo. Estamos listos para atraer socios extranjeros a los llamados nuevos, a nuestros territorios históricos, que han vuelto a la Federación Rusa”, añadió.
Comentando sobre la visita de Zelensky a Washington, el portavoz del Kremlin Dmitry Peskov dijo el martes: “Ya veremos si será [para firmar] el mencionado acuerdo u otra cosa. Todavía no ha habido declaraciones oficiales al respecto.”
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