On March 30, U.S. President Donald Trump said Ukrainian President Zelenskiy wants to pull out of a mining deal with the United States. Donald Trump warned that Zelenskiy would face big problems if he withdrew.
Donald Trump also said the country”Wants to be a member of NATO” but that it”Will never be a member” and that Zelenskiy”Understands that”.
There is no immediate response from Ukraine.
New version of the mining agreement
The US demands go far beyond previous proposals
Earlier, according to multiple media reports, the U. S. submitted a new mining agreement to Ukraine draft, the U. S. government’s requirements far more than previously disclosed plan. In addition, the latest draft agreement still does not include any security guarantees for Ukraine.
The latest version of the Draft Minerals Agreement calls for Ukraine to transfer to a joint fund the proceeds from the exploitation of natural resources by all public and private companies. The Joint Fund is managed by the U. S. International Development Finance Corporation. The fund’s board of directors is composed of five people, three of whom are nominated by the United States.
Under the draft agreement, the side would have“Preferential access” to all of Ukraine’s resources, and the proceeds from the Joint Fund would first be transferred to the side to repay all the money it has provided to Ukraine since 2022, ukraine also has to pay an annual interest rate of 4 per cent. “Return money” after the end, Uzbekistan can use the proceeds of the fund for Reconstruction and other affairs.
The latest version of the draft agreement still contains no reference to Ukraine’s future security guarantees.
Zelenskiy
Would not regard US military support as a debt
Ukrainian president Zelenskiy said Tuesday that Kiev had formally received a draft of the new mining deal from the US.
Zelenskiy said Ukraine would not recognise $zero BN in past US military aid as a loan, but did not say whether that demand was reflected in the latest draft agreement. However, Zelenskiy made clear that the latest version was“Completely different” from the framework of previous agreements.
U. S. and Ukrainian leaders were scheduled to sign the February 28 mineral deal at the White House, but a heated argument broke out, failed to sign the agreement.