Zelensky backing down on minerals deal? Ukrainian Prez's video suggests Trump may have won this round of negotiations
World News | Discover how Ukrainian President Zelensky's recent video hints at a potential minerals deal with the US, signalling a possible win for Trump in ongoing negotiations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky seems to have lost this round and seems to have given in to US President Donald Trump's demands to give America access to his country's critical mineral deposits.
As per reports, Zelensky, in a nightly video address on Friday (Feb 21) revealed that American and Ukrainian negotiators were working on a draft settlement. This could signal an imminent deal.
Also read | 'No minerals, no internet': US may cut Ukraine’s access to Musk's Starlink over rare earth deal
What did Zelensky say?
In his nightly address, the Ukrainian president said that he was hoping for "a fair result" in the potential agreement with Trump's America.
This could potentially be a sign that Trump has won this round and has managed to bend the Ukrainian war leader to his will.
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"This is an agreement that can add value to our relationship, and the main thing is to work out the details so that it can work. I hope for a result — a fair result," said Zelensky. However, he did not specify which agreement he's referring to, this means it could be something other than the mineral(s) one.
This is a far cry from his hard stance earlier this week, when he said he would not "sell" Ukraine in any deal with the United States.
Also read | US says Zelensky will sign minerals deal 'soon' after rejection: Why does Trump want Ukraine's'rareearths'?
What is the critical minerals deal?
Trump is seeking compensation for the tens of billions the US gave to Ukraine, under his predecessor Joe Biden's term. It must be noted that this money was aid and not a loan.
Under Biden, Washington has been Kyiv's most important financial, military and political backer in the three years since Russia invaded the nation in February 2022.
Now, Trump is seeking to change the terms of the US aid. He insists that American taxpayers need something in return: Ukraine's vast mineral deposits.
Watch | U.S. negotiators pressing Kyiv for access to Ukraine's critical minerals
(With inputs from agencies)