President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stating that he will face “big, big problems” if he withdraws from the rare earth minerals deal with the United States.
Trump’s remarks came after he criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for his comments about Zelenskyy.
The deal in question grants the US access to Ukraine’s valuable mineral resources. Trump claimed that Zelenskyy is trying to “back out” of the agreement, which he believes would have significant consequences.
The US President emphasized that the deal is crucial, stating, “We made a deal on rare earth. And now he’s saying, ‘Well, you know, I want to renegotiate the deal'”.
Trump also dismissed Zelenskyy’s ambitions to join NATO, saying, “He wants to be a member of NATO.
He was never going to be a member of NATO. He understands that.” Furthermore, Trump acknowledged the ongoing efforts to resolve the war between Russia and Ukraine, claiming, “We’re making a lot of progress.” However, he noted the deep animosity between Zelenskyy and Putin, suggesting that negotiations may not lead to a quick resolution.
The minerals agreement is part of a broader strategy to strengthen ties between Ukraine and the US. Ukrainian officials believe that the deal will lay the groundwork for a long-term US security partnership. However, the initial draft of the agreement sparked outrage in Kyiv and across European capitals due to its stringent terms.
