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Trump Seeks Economic Deal with Ukraine Amid Ongoing Conflict
President Donald Trump revealed on Friday that his administration is “pretty close” to finalizing a deal with Ukraine that would allow the United States to access the country’s natural resources. This arrangement is proposed in exchange for the billions of dollars in support the U.S. has provided to Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression.
“I think they want it, and they feel good about it,” Trump stated during a press briefing in the Oval Office following the swearing-in of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. He described the deal as significant, emphasizing its potential to stabilize U.S. presence in Ukraine while expressing dissatisfaction that it was not finalized sooner under the Biden administration. Trump criticized the current administration’s handling of the conflict and suggested that the war could have been prevented or resolved more easily in its early stages.
Trump’s Controversial Remarks on Zelenskyy
At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Trump’s National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, reiterated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to endorse the agreement soon. Waltz also advised Ukraine to moderate its public criticisms of Trump and engage in discussions to formalize the economic partnership.
The initiative to grant U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals forms part of broader negotiations aimed at resolving the ongoing war, which escalated with Russia’s invasion in 2022. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who recently met with Zelenskyy in Kyiv, described the prospective partnership as a “win-win” for both countries.
“Part of my trip was to convey to the Ukrainian people our commitment to fostering an economic partnership,” Bessent explained during an interview. He underscored Trump’s vision for strengthening ties between American and Ukrainian citizens while ensuring that U.S. financial support yields tangible benefits for both sides.
Republicans Divided on Zelenskyy’s Leadership
The Trump administration is exploring ways to offset U.S. aid to Ukraine by leveraging access to crucial minerals, such as titanium and uranium. However, tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy appear to be escalating, particularly as negotiations for a peace deal involving Russian officials continue.
Trump has publicly criticized Zelenskyy, suggesting that the Ukrainian leader has “no cards” to play in the negotiation process. He expressed frustration over Zelenskyy’s ability to secure favorable terms, pointing to the difficulties Bessent faced during a recent trip aimed at cultivating a multi-billion dollar mineral deal.
“I’ve watched his cities get destroyed and his people suffer,” Trump remarked in an interview, portraying Zelenskyy as ineffective in negotiations. He indicated that the absence of leverage on Ukraine’s part made further discussions challenging.
Despite the contentious atmosphere, both sides appear to recognize the urgency of reaching a mutually beneficial agreement that could provide long-term security for Ukraine amid a volatile geopolitical landscape. As the situation develops, the possibility of a significant U.S.-Ukraine economic partnership remains a focal point in the ongoing discussions.
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