Keev
US President Donald Trump has accused Ukraine of “breaking” an agreement related to his mineral resources. Although the agreement was never officially finalized, Trump while talking to the media on Wednesday (19 February) said that “Ukraine has broken the agreement.” Trump claims that when the US Finance Minister Scott Besant went to Kiev last week, Ukrainian officials “approval” the agreement, but then “Besant was treated and was finally denied. . “
Trump has been attacking Ukraine President Volodimir Jailonsky for some time. He blamed Jailonski for the Russia-Ukraine war and has also called him a dictator. In a recent interview to Fox News Radio, Trump said, “I am tired of hearing that this (war) is Putin’s fault.” Jailonsky attended many meetings, but he did not get anything. ” Trump’s statements are surprised not only Ukraine but also European allies of America. Its attacks have also made it clear that the Trump administration is changing its policy regarding the Russia-Ukraine war. Experts also see Trump’s greed behind this. This greed is the ‘minerals’ of Ukraine, which can be very important for the US. Let us understand it in detail.
What was the proposed agreement?
The US had proposed that it wants 50 percent access to its important mineral resources instead of supporting Ukraine against Russia. The President of Ukraine was positive about the agreement, but he demanded more favorable conditions. Ukraine is a country rich in natural minerals, where many important metals are found. They are used in the manufacture of defense equipment, clean energy solutions (such as electric vehicles), electronic gadgets and semiconductors. These minerals have limited reserves globally and their mining is difficult, which further increases their importance. These are also necessary for the US and Western countries because its biggest source is China.
How many important minerals do Ukraine have?
According to a report by Ukraine’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources and Ukrainian Geological Survey, “Ukraine has 22 of the 50 strategic minerals identified by the US and 25 of the 34 important minerals listed by the European Union.” Especially in terms of minerals such as Ukraine graphite, lithium, titanium, berrym and uranium, it is in a very good condition.
Dispute and Trump claims over agreement
Although the complete information of this agreement is not public, it is widely considered to be a way of securing aid in the future by Ukraine, while Trump wants payment in exchange for already given US military aid. According to a report by the Financial Times report, Trump said, “Ukraine is indebted to give us resources worth $ 500 billion (infrastructure like mineral reserves, fuels and ports).” This amount is much higher with the total military assistance of $ 69.2 billion given by the US since 2014.
Negotiations on agreement and Jailonsky’s stand
The proposal came into the limelight during the Munich Security Conference, after which Jailonsky told the AP News Agency, “I did not allow the ministers to sign the agreement because in my view the agreement was not ready to protect our defense and interests.” US officials believe that if the US gets a mining license or economic share of exploitation of mineral resources in Ukraine, it will be a security guarantee itself, as the US will take steps to protect its interests. But Gelnsky wants more solid military and financial assistance guarantee.
Many big hurdles in front of Trump
The Constitution of Ukraine says that the country’s underground wealth belongs to the citizens there. According to Xenia Orenechak, founder of the National Association of Mining Industry of Ukraine, “Any agreement will be in line with Ukrainian law.” Ukraine does not have enough modern data of mineral resources. According to Gracelin Basaran, director of the US -based Center for Strategic and International Studies, “Accurate information is not available on the mineral reserves. Most of the surveys were conducted in the era of the Soviet Union. ” Prior to Russia’s invasion, there was a strategic partnership agreement between Ukraine and the European Union for mineral resources.
Russian occupied area
In addition, many of the important mineral resources of Ukraine are currently located in the occupied areas of Russia. According to Reuters report, “The Russian army has already occupied the fifth of Ukraine, including several rare mineral reserves.”
