On Friday, Trump announced that he expects Ukrainian President Zelensky to soon sign an agreement with the United States regarding Ukraine's mineral resources, a key part of efforts to bring the war to an end.
Speaking from the White House in response to a question about the agreement, Trump said, “We hope to sign this agreement in a relatively short time.” He also criticized Zelensky, but refrained from making any negative comments about Vladimir Putin.
Trump added, “I’ve had very good talks with Putin, but my talks with Ukraine haven’t been as good.”
He further stated, “They have no winning hand, yet they’re playing hardball.”
Zelensky’s response to the mineral resources agreement
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope that negotiations with Washington over access to Ukraine’s strategic mineral resources would lead to a fair outcome.
In his nightly video message, Zelensky said, "This agreement could add value to our relationship. The important thing is that its details are carefully examined to make it operational. I hope a fair result will be achieved."
Without providing specifics, he did not clarify which agreement was currently under consideration.
Ukraine's mineral resources and U.S. interest
Ukraine holds valuable reserves of strategic minerals that the U.S. is keen on. These reserves include uranium, lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements, and other materials used in batteries, technology, and the aerospace industry.
Ukraine’s rejection of Trump’s request
An informed Ukrainian source has stated that Kyiv has rejected Washington’s request to create a $500 billion fund as part of an agreement for transferring a share of Ukraine’s mineral wealth to the U.S.
According to The Economist, it would take centuries to repay a $500 billion mineral deal between Trump and Ukraine. This rejection highlights the rift between Zelensky’s government and the White House over the terms of the agreement.
White House national security advisor’s comments
White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz stated on Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on the outskirts of Washington, "The key issue is whether President Zelensky will sign this agreement, and you’ll see that happen soon."
Trump’s position on military aid to Ukraine
Donald Trump, who has publicly expressed his differences with Zelensky, has said that Kyiv should compensate for all the aid it has received from Washington.
Trump commented, "Europe has given $100 billion, and the U.S. has paid $350 billion because we had a stupid and incompetent president and government."
He added, "I’m asking them (Ukraine) to give us something in return for all the money we’ve spent. Therefore, our request is for rare natural resources, oil, and anything else we can get. We’re getting our money back because this isn’t fair."
Review of the UN draft resolution
Two European officials stated that despite pressure from the United States, Ukraine refrained from withdrawing its draft resolution, and the UN General Assembly will put it to a vote on Monday, the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
According to an American official, who requested anonymity, the UN General Assembly, consisting of 193 countries, is expected to vote on Washington’s draft resolution on Monday.
Tensions between the U.S., Ukraine, and Europe over proposed resolutions
The two resolutions from the U.S. and Ukraine reflect the growing tensions between Washington, Kyiv, and European countries after five weeks since Donald Trump assumed the U.S. presidency and the start of negotiations with Russia to end the war.
European leaders were concerned that they and Ukraine were excluded from preliminary talks between the U.S. and Russia last week.
The General Assembly has become the most important UN body on the issue of Ukraine, as the Security Council, which is responsible for maintaining international peace and security, has been unable to pass any resolution due to Russia’s veto power.
Contents of the proposed resolutions by the U.S. and Ukraine
Ukraine's resolution, supported by 27 EU countries, refers to Russia's "full-scale invasion of Ukraine" and emphasizes the need for the implementation of all previous General Assembly resolutions "passed in response to the aggression against Ukraine."
The resolution calls for the immediate, complete, and unconditional withdrawal of Russia from Ukrainian territory and demands the immediate cessation of all hostilities.
Ukraine's resolution also calls for a de-escalation of tensions, an early halt to hostilities, and a peaceful resolution to the war against Ukraine.
The U.S. draft resolution, which is much shorter, acknowledges the "tragic losses on both the Russian and Ukrainian sides" and "calls for a swift end to the conflict, as well as for the establishment of lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia."
However, this resolution refrains from labeling Russia as the aggressor.
Trump's push for an agreement on Ukraine’s mineral resources marks a shift in Washington's policies toward the country and the ongoing war. Kyiv’s rejection of the U.S. proposed terms highlights deep differences between the two nations over the war's costs and their future economic and military relations.
In this context, the United Nations has become a stage for displaying international rifts, where the conflicting resolutions of the U.S. and Ukraine will determine the political weight of global actors. Europe, having been excluded from the initial talks, watches with concern the developments that could shift the balance of power in favor of Russia. The final decision on this agreement will not only shape Ukraine's future but also reveal the new direction of U.S. foreign policy.
NOURNEWS