Trump demands rare metals from Ukraine in exchange for military aid
Washington, February 4 (Hibya) - According to The Guardian, U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that he wants to negotiate a deal with Ukraine in which Kyiv guarantees the supply of rare earth metals, essential elements in electronics, in exchange for aid.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had proposed such an idea last October as part of his "victory plan" to end the war with Russia.
On Monday, Trump said, "We are telling Ukraine that they have very valuable rare earth elements. We want to make a deal with Ukraine in which they secure these elements and other resources in exchange for what we provide them."
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump emphasized that Ukraine is willing to make the deal and that Washington demands "equality" in return for its support, estimated at around $300 billion.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized Trump's demand for mutual benefit, saying, "That would be very selfish, very selfish." After meeting with EU leaders in Brussels, Scholz added that such resources would be better used for rebuilding Ukraine after the war.
British News Agency
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