February 21, 2025
1 min read

U.S. Turns Up Heat on Ukraine Mineral Deal

The proposed agreement, which reportedly demands a 50-per cent share of Ukrainian natural resources…reports Asian Lite News

US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to “tone down” its stance and return negotiations over a minerals deal with the US.

“They need to tone it down and take a hard look and sign that deal,” Waltz told Fox News.

The proposed agreement, which reportedly demands a 50-per cent share of Ukrainian natural resources, was initially presented by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at the Munich Security Conference, Xinhua news agency reported.

“You really need to sign this,” Bessent reportedly told Zelensky during their meeting.

However, Kyiv has so far rejected the US proposal. “I can’t sell our state,” Zelensky said on Wednesday.

“In total, the United States separately gave us about $67 billion in weapons, and we received $31.5 billion in budget support,” he said, adding: “But one cannot count up to $500 billion and say, ‘give us back $500 billion in minerals,’ that’s not a serious discussion.”

Despite this, the Ukrainian leader said Ukraine is grateful for the support and is open to discussing a deal that includes US security guarantees for his country.

Following a meeting in Kyiv with Keith Kellogg, the US special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Zelensky described their talks as “productive” in a post on the social platform X on Thursday.

“Ukraine is ready for a strong, effective investment and security agreement with the President of the US. We have proposed the fastest and most constructive way to achieve results,” he wrote.

ALSO READ: Macron Calls for Stronger European Defense

Previous Story

Macron Calls for Stronger European Defense

Next Story

Economic pact fuels India-UAE trade boom 

Latest from -Top News

NY Attorney General indicted in mortgage fraud

The indictment comes just weeks after former FBI Director James Comey was charged in a separate, highly controversial case…reports Asian Lite News New York Attorney General Letitia James has been charged in

US targets Chinese flights over Russia

US carriers have long criticised the allowance of Chinese flights over Russia, arguing that the shorter routes reduce travel time and fuel consumption, providing an unfair advantage….reports Asian Lite News The Trump

Trump eyes Egypt trip

Trump eyes Egypt trip for Gaza ceasefire signing as deal paves way for hostage release…reports Asian Lite News President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he intends to travel to Egypt for

200 US troops to monitor Gaza ceasefire deal

The US coordination center will be staffed by service members who have expertise in transportation, planning, security, logistics and engineering…reports Asian Lite News The United States is sending about 200 troops to
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Reality begins to overtake assumptions made by NATO

If Ukraine and its luckless people are ‘winning’, it is

EU nod for €500 mn Ukraine military aid

EU grants 500 mn euros more military aid to Ukraine…reports