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Zelenskyy Demands Improved US Security Guarantee in Exchange for Natural Resources Deal

February 16, 2025 TruthUSA

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has engaged in discussions with U.S. officials regarding the possibility of exchanging Ukraine’s natural resources for ongoing assistance from the United States. However, as of now, no formal agreement has been reached.

Zelenskyy is adamant about receiving stronger security assurances from the United States before committing to a deal that would grant the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals and other resources.

Zelenskyy and President Donald Trump have commenced negotiations concerning a potential arrangement where the United States would continue providing aid to Ukraine in exchange for access to the country’s natural resources. Trump recently suggested that the United States could gain access to around $500 billion worth of Ukrainian natural resources through this deal.

Despite meetings with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to further these negotiations, a final agreement has not yet been reached.

During a press briefing at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of receiving specific security guarantees for his country before moving forward with any agreement.

“That, for me, is very important: the connection between some kind of security guarantees and some kind of investment,” Zelenskyy stated.

When asked about the proposal put forth by the Trump administration, Zelenskyy replied, “It’s not in our interest today, not in [the] interest of [a] sovereign Ukraine.”

Journalist Christiane Amanpour interviewed Zelenskyy earlier in the day regarding various topics, including the proposed deal with the United States. When questioned about the fairness of the $500 billion trade for resources, Zelenskyy responded, “We’re still talking,” without elaborating on the specific figures.

Since the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the United States has provided approximately $174 billion in aid to Ukraine, including weapons, financial support, and other forms of assistance.

The Epoch Times reached out to the White House for their input on the discussions surrounding the mineral deal but had not received a response at the time of publication.

Trump mentioned on Feb. 7 that the United States had pledged over $300 billion for Ukraine’s defense, while European contributions totaled around $100 billion.

Zelenskyy has consistently emphasized the need for international security guarantees for Ukraine as a fundamental aspect of any potential peace agreement with Russia.

Addressing the Munich Security Conference, Zelenskyy advocated for the creation of a new multinational European military force.

“I really believe that time has come,” he stated. “The armed forces of Europe must be created.”

Speaking at the headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth advised the alliance that the United States is shifting focus from the European theater and urged European members to take greater responsibility for their collective security. Hegseth also dismissed talks of Ukraine joining NATO.

Article Five of the North Atlantic Treaty mandates that alliance members treat an attack on one member as an attack on all, committing to provide support to the attacked member.

“Any security guarantee must be supported by capable European and non-European forces. If deployed as peacekeepers to Ukraine in the future, these troops should be part of a non-NATO mission and not covered under Article Five,” Hegseth informed NATO allies.

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