White House Criticizes Zelenskyy for Rejecting Deal on Rare Earth Minerals
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed his top officials not to sign a U.S. proposal that would grant America access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals.
Zelenskyy considered the offer too focused on U.S. interests, according to a Sunday report from the Associated Press.
“I didn’t let the ministers sign a relevant agreement because, in my view, it is not ready to protect us, our interest,” Zelenskyy explained to the outlet.
The proposed deal would reportedly allow American companies to tap into Ukraine's rich rare earth mineral deposits in exchange for past financial support from the Biden administration, along with future assistance from the Trump administration.
Zelenskyy met with Vice President J.D. Vance in Munich, Germany, on Friday as part of a larger defense conference.
According to the Associated Press, Zelenskyy wanted security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression—a provision that Vance was not willing to offer.
“For me, it is very important to link some kind of security guarantees with investment,” Zelenskyy added, as reported by the Associated Press.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had presented the proposal to the Ukrainian government during his visit to Kyiv on Wednesday.
In response, White House National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes issued a statement criticizing Zelenskyy for rejecting the offer, calling it a “short-sighted” decision regarding the “excellent opportunity” presented by the Trump administration.
Hughes emphasized that the deal would help American taxpayers "recoup" billions spent on Ukraine over the past three years and would also benefit Ukraine’s economy.
He argued that the Trump administration believes that “binding economic ties with the United States will be the best guarantee against future aggression and an integral part of lasting peace.”
He further remarked that “the U.S. recognizes this, the Russians recognize this, and the Ukrainians must recognize this.”
Zelenskyy told Vance that he aimed to position Ukraine in a “strong position” when peace talks eventually begin, a situation he believes would be key to achieving lasting peace.
He expressed a preference for European officials to have a role in the negotiations.
However, Gen. Keith Kellogg, the Trump administration's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, has excluded European officials from the talks, according to the Associated Press.
“You can have the Ukrainians, the Russians, and clearly the Americans at the table talking,” Kellogg remarked during a Munich conference event, as reported by the outlet.
“I’m a school of realism,” Kellogg added when asked about the potential involvement of Europeans.
“I think that’s not going to happen.”