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Ukraine to Send Negotiators to US Over Proposed Rare Earth Minerals Deal
Ukraine to send delegation to US to negotiate rare earth minerals deal—key to securing future US support amid war with Russia.
ND
by News Desk
2025-04-07
Ukraine to Send Negotiators to US Over Proposed Rare Earth Minerals Deal

Ukraine is sending a negotiating team to Washington this week to discuss the latest proposal by the United States for access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals. This deal, which Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed on Monday, is seen as essential for Ukraine’s continued support from Washington as the country battles Russia’s ongoing invasion.

The visit will involve Ukrainian officials from various ministries, including economy, foreign affairs, justice, and finance, aiming to advance the negotiations on the deal, which has sparked significant controversy. The proposal would grant the US preferential access to Ukraine's rare earth mineral deposits, a crucial resource for advanced technologies, including defense systems.

President Donald Trump has insisted that the deal is essential for Ukraine's post-war security and reconstruction. He believes that US companies extracting minerals from Ukraine would deter further Russian aggression, positioning it as a cornerstone of a broader post-war recovery strategy. However, the deal has raised questions about Ukraine’s future relations with the European Union, which could be jeopardized by such a partnership with the US.

Svyrydenko emphasized that the visit reflects the strategic interests of both nations and their mutual desire to build a strong and transparent partnership. On the social media platform X, she added that the negotiators would work to align on important aspects of the deal, including project selection, legal frameworks, and long-term investment mechanisms.

The Shifting Dynamics of US Support for Ukraine

This new agreement has become a critical issue for Ukraine's leadership, as it seeks to maintain US support, especially in light of Trump’s fluctuating stance. While Trump had previously been critical of the slow pace of talks and had expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, recent signals suggest a more cordial approach to Russia, as Trump continues to advocate for his version of the ceasefire strategy.

This shift comes at a time when Ukraine’s allies in Europe are voicing concerns. French President Emmanuel Macron has sharply criticized Russia's refusal to accept the US-backed ceasefire, urging for an unconditional ceasefire to halt Russia's continuous attacks on Ukrainian civilians.

On the other hand, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin was open to a ceasefire but raised “questions” on how such a truce would work in practice, as Moscow has rejected the US proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire, linking it to the lifting of sanctions.

Mixed Signals From Washington

While Trump has expressed frustration with Putin, he has continued to show a degree of warmth toward the Russian leader, making it unclear how much support Ukraine can count on from the US moving forward. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Trump was not willing to enter into “endless negotiations” with Russia, emphasizing that the US would soon see whether Russia was serious about peace.

Revised Deal and Criticism

The proposal on the table now is a revised version of a previously derailed agreement, initially presented in February 2024 during a meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The new draft includes not just rare earth minerals but also gas and oil, which has drawn sharp criticism from critics who view it as a diplomatic shakedown.

Despite the controversy, Ukraine's government is determined to move forward with the negotiations, understanding the deal’s potential to strengthen its defense capabilities and economic recovery post-conflict.

The Road Ahead

As Ukraine prepares for the upcoming talks in Washington, the focus will be on securing a deal that does not jeopardize its long-term relationship with Europe or lead to undue reliance on the United States for its reconstruction and security needs. The next steps in these negotiations will likely shape the future of Ukraine’s geopolitical alignment, particularly with regard to its future relationship with the EU and its ongoing conflict with Russia.

 
Tagged:

Donald trump

PeaceTalks

RussiaUkraineWar

UkraineUSRelations

RareEarthMinerals
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