Zelensky Rejects Trump’s Mineral Agreement, Sounds Alarm on Imminent Russia-NATO Conflict – One America News Network
OAN Staff Blake Wolf
2:22 PM – Sunday, February 16, 2025
On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed that he declined the United States’ proposal that would have allowed the U.S. to acquire Ukraine’s rare earth minerals in exchange for military support.
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This proposal was presented on Friday at the Munich Security Conference by Vice President JD Vance, offering the United States access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals “as compensation” for prior and future military assistance from the Biden administration.
Ukraine possesses significant deposits of graphite, lithium, titanium, beryllium, and uranium, essential materials for the defense and technology sectors.
Zelensky expressed that he “didn’t allow the ministers to sign a relevant agreement because, in my opinion, it is not ready to safeguard us and our interests.”
He has consistently emphasized that any arrangement involving the transfer of valuable minerals to the United States must include security guarantees to deter potential future aggression from Russia.
“There are voices suggesting that Europe could provide security guarantees without the U.S., and I always assert no,” Zelensky remarked on Tuesday. “Security guarantees without America are not legitimate security guarantees.”
Meanwhile, White House National Security Council Spokesman Brian Hughes commented that “President Zelensky is overlooking the significant opportunity the Trump Administration has offered to Ukraine.”
Additionally, President Zelensky noted that Kyiv suspects Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing to “initiate hostilities against NATO.”
“We are certain that he is organizing this from Belarus this year. It could occur in the summer, perhaps at the start or end of summer. I cannot predict when he plans it. But it will happen,” Zelensky stated.
“There are risks that he may target Poland and Lithuania because we are convinced – we believe that Putin will wage war against NATO,” he added.
“That is why I questioned, ‘What is he waiting for?’ Perhaps it’s for NATO to weaken due to the policies of the United States, such as considering withdrawing its military presence from Europe. Yes, Putin may have that in mind. However, I believe that the U.S. will maintain its forces in Europe, as withdrawing would severely diminish NATO and the stability of the European continent. Putin is certainly counting on that. We have received intelligence indicating he is contemplating invasion against former Soviet republics. And mind you, today those are NATO countries.”
Ukraine is currently formulating a “counter proposal” to present to the United States “in the near future,” as reported by the Associated Press.
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