Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is ready to sign a stalled minerals deal with the United States in a thread on X on Saturday, in which he also urged the United States to stand strongly behind Ukraine amid its war with Russia, one day after his meeting with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance devolved into a near-shouting match.
What Happened At Zelenskyy’s White House Meeting?
Zelenskyy visited the White House Friday to discuss the minerals deal with the United States, but his visit was cut short and the signing called off after a talk with Trump and Vance in the Oval Office grew increasingly tense and verged on a shouting match between the three leaders. When Vance suggested the path to peace should be through engaging in diplomacy, Zelenskyy questioned the vice president: “What kind of diplomacy, JD, (are you) speaking about?” stating Putin is an unreliable partner in a potential cease-fire deal. Vance then called Zelenskyy “disrespectful” for trying to “litigate this in front of the American media” and questioned whether Zelenskyy had thanked the United States for its support. Trump entered the argument after Zelenskyy said “everybody has problems. Even you, but you have nice ocean and don’t feel now, but you’ll feel it in the future,” telling Zelenskyy: “Don’t tell us what we’re gonna feel,” adding the Ukrainian president he is “gambling with World War III.” Trump later told Zelenskyy: “You’re either gonna make a deal or we are out.”
What Are The Details Of The Ukraine Minerals Deal?
Trump has framed the minerals deal with Ukraine as necessary for repayment for military aid provided to Ukraine during its war with Russia. The terms of the deal would reportedly establish a “reconstruction investment fund,” to which half the revenue from Ukraine’s state-owned natural resources projects would go. Zelenskyy has pushed for the deal to include greater security guarantees for Ukraine, though Trump has said he would look for greater security for Ukraine “later on.” Trump initially demanded $500 billion from Ukrainian minerals from the deal, which Zelenskyy rejected, prompting Trump to call him a “dictator” in a tense war of words.
What Minerals Does Ukraine Possess?
Ukraine’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources says the country has Europe’s number-one graphite, lithium, titanium and uranium reserves, which are crucial for producing batteries, armor, defense materials and nuclear fuel. Partnering with Ukraine to source these minerals could reduce the United States’ reliance on China and Russia to import these minerals.
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