Screenshot of The Times and The Sunday Times via YouTube
Ukraine and the United States have not signed an agreement on rare minerals in Washington. Reuters reports this with reference to a White House official. This happened after a heated argument whiic took place during a press conference between Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Donald Trump, and J.D. Vance. Zelensky left the White House prematurely.
What was in the agreement?
According to the text of the document, the agreement provided for the creation of the Reconstruction Investment Fund, which would be jointly managed by representatives of the governments of Ukraine and the United States.
The next step was further negotiations with the United States on a more detailed agreement that would regulate the activities of the fund.
Ukraine and the United States had previously agreed to:
- raise financing for projects to develop and process Ukrainian resources, including rare minerals deposits;
- No share in the Fund may be sold or transferred without the consent of the other party;
- Security guarantees and financial commitments by the United States;
- Ukraine will finance 50% of the Fund from the proceeds of the relevant natural resources.
What happens next
After the argument in the White House, US President Donald Trump called the meeting with the Ukrainian leader "very meaningful," while adding: "President Zelensky is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. <...> Zelensky disrespected the US in its cherished Oval Office. an come back when he is ready for peace," Trump wrote on his Truth Social social media account.
After a while, President Volodymyr Zelensky also commented on the cancelled deal:
"Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. I thank you the President, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that."
