Zelensky Bows to Pressure: Ukraine Set to Sign Mineral Deal with US
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to sign a deal with the US, granting access to critical mineral deposits in Ukraine.
This sudden reversal comes after Zelensky had publicly rejected the proposal just days earlier, calling it “not in the interests of a sovereign Ukraine.”
The deal, which could be signed as soon as Saturday, is seen as crucial for satisfying Washington’s demands for a peace settlement between Ukraine and Russia, ending their three-year-long war.
Zelensky’s change of heart may have been influenced by the threat of the US withdrawing funding and potentially cutting off access to Elon Musk’s Starlink, a vital resource for Ukraine’s civilian and military operations.
The exact terms of the deal are still unclear, but it’s reported that the US had been pushing for $500 billion worth of minerals in exchange for continued military support.
Ukraine possesses significant reserves of titanium, lithium, and rare earth minerals, which are highly valuable to the US amid growing tensions with China.
Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, played a key role in finalizing the agreement after meeting with Zelensky in Kyiv.
Despite initial criticism from Trump for being too pro-Zelensky, Kellogg’s efforts helped to “restore hope” for a deal.
The agreement has sparked concerns about the potential exploitation of Ukraine’s natural resources, with some officials describing the contract as “ruthless” and seeking to benefit the US at Ukraine’s expense.