Anamika Dey, editor
Synopsis
- Ukrainian President Zelenskyy discussed rare earth minerals with U.S. President Trump, proposing a partnership for resource exchange in return for financial aid amid the ongoing war with Russia.
- Zelenskyy emphasized the need for security guarantees from allies and highlighted Ukraine’s significant mineral reserves, including titanium and uranium.
- As Russian advances continue, Zelenskyy plans to meet Trump before discussions with Putin, stressing the importance of Ukraine’s involvement in peace negotiations.
Detailed
During an interview with Reuters on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy examined a previously classified map that showed large deposits of rare earths and other important minerals. This was part of an effort to appeal to Donald Trump’s desire for a deal.
On Monday, the president of the United States, whose administration is pushing for a quick resolution to the war between Ukraine and Russia, stated that he would like Ukraine to provide the United States with rare earths and other minerals in exchange for financial assistance in its war effort.
Zelenskyy stated, “If we are talking about a deal, then let’s do a deal; we are only for it.” He stressed that Ukraine requires security guarantees from its partners as part of any agreement.
Last November, Ukraine proposed the concept of allowing its key minerals to be invested in by allies. This was part of a “victory plan” that aimed to put Ukraine in the best position for negotiations and compel Moscow to participate in discussions.
According to Zelenskyy, fewer than 20% of Ukraine’s mineral resources, which includes approximately half of its rare earth deposits, were occupied by Russia.
Zelenskyy stated that Moscow might provide rare earths to its friends North Korea and Iran, both of whom are sworn adversaries of the United States. Rare earths are essential for the production of high-performance magnets, electric motors, and consumer electronics.
He stated, “We must put an end to Putin and safeguard what we possess: a very prosperous Dnipro region in central Ukraine.”
For months, Russian troops have been making progress in the east, pouring enormous resources into a relentless onslaught. Meanwhile, Kyiv’s much smaller army is struggling with a shortage of manpower and worrying about future supply of weapons from other countries.
In the heavily-defended president’s office in Kyiv, Zelenskyy spread out a map on a table. The map showed many mineral reserves, including a large area in the east that was marked as containing rare earths. Approximately half of it appeared to be located on the side of the frontlines that Russia currently occupies.
He stated that Ukraine has the highest reserves of titanium in Europe, which is necessary for the aviation and space industries, as well as uranium, which is used for nuclear energy and weaponry.
A large number of the titanium reserves were located in northeastern Ukraine, which is a long distance from the fighting.
Ukraine has quickly adjusted its foreign policy to match the transactional worldview of the new occupant of the White House, who is Ukraine’s most significant ally.
However, Zelenskyy stressed that Kyiv was not suggesting that it “give away” its riches; rather, it was proposing a partnership that would be advantageous to both parties in order to develop them together:
“The Americans provided the most assistance, so they should receive the greatest reward.” They should have this priority, and they will have it. I would also like to discuss this with President Trump.
According to him, Russia was aware of the precise locations of Ukraine’s essential resources due to geological surveys from the Soviet era that were taken back to Moscow when Kyiv became independent in 1991.
Zelenskyy also mentioned that Kyiv and the White House were in talks about the possibility of using Ukraine’s extensive underground gas storage facilities to store liquefied natural gas from the United States.
“I am aware that the Trump administration is very interested in it…” We are prepared and eager to enter into contracts for the supply of LNG to Ukraine. He stated, “And naturally, we will be a center for all of Europe.”
Zelenskyy wants to have a meeting.
The interview takes place just days before the Munich Security Conference, which will be held from February 14 to 16. amid this conference, officials from dozens of Western countries will gather amid a time of uncertainty in the conflict, which has been going on for almost three years.
Zelenskyy stated that he intended to be present at the forum, where Keith Kellogg, who is Trump’s special envoy for Russia and Ukraine, is also anticipated to be in attendance.
The leader of Ukraine stated that it was crucial for him to meet with Trump in person before the president of the United States talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Otherwise, it would appear that there was a conversation about Ukraine without Ukraine being involved.
On Friday, Trump stated that he anticipated having a conversation with Zelenskyy the next week. Zelenskyy stated that his top objective would be to emphasize Ukraine’s need for security guarantees as part of any agreement in order to prevent Russia from launching another attack. However, it was crucial for the West to come up with a basic plan before starting discussions with Moscow.
He stated that there were already regular communications between his staff and Kellogg, as well as Michael Waltz, who is Trump’s national security adviser.
He remarked, “We have contact every day, and we talk about general things, but we will get into the specifics a little later.”
As Russian soldiers continue to advance and threaten the main Ukrainian logistics hub of Pokrovsk, Trump is making a push for peace.
Zelenskyy revealed for the first time on the battlefield that his men had launched a new onslaught on Thursday. They advanced 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) further into Russia’s Kursk area.
That day, Russia claimed that there had been an attack by Ukraine in the area, but they added that it had been repelled.
Zelenskyy stated that thousands of North Korean soldiers who had been fighting alongside Russia have returned to active battle against the forces of Kyiv in Kursk after a break of several weeks.
In an effort to address a shortfall of personnel, the government plans to provide attractive recruitment contracts next week in order to attract young men between the ages of 18 and 24, who are not yet eligible for the draft, to join the military. Zelenskyy did not disclose the anticipated number of males who would enlist.
Source: CNBC news
