Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is planning to meet with US President Donald Trump to sign a bilateral commercial agreement for the joint development and management of Ukraine’s mineral wealth. Trump has pushed for this deal in exchange for US assistance since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The agreement, which has been leaked, outlines the establishment of a joint fund with Ukraine contributing 50 percent of all revenues from natural resource assets. The deal does not include security guarantees for Ukraine, which Zelenskyy has insisted on.
The agreement has raised concerns among European Union members who have provided significant aid to Ukraine. French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu has been in talks with Ukraine to secure access to rare minerals. Trump’s adversarial view of the EU has strained relations, with the US and Europe taking different positions on Ukraine and Russia.
Despite Trump’s reluctance to provide security guarantees for Ukraine, Zelenskyy expressed hope after talks with Trump’s envoy General Keith Kellogg. However, tensions escalated after Trump called Zelenskyy a dictator, leading to Zelenskyy offering his resignation in exchange for NATO membership.
As the war in Ukraine continues, the international community is grappling with geopolitical challenges and questions about the existing international order. Trump’s influence on Europe is evident in their attempts to appease him while balancing their own interests in the region. The situation remains complex as the US, EU, Russia, and Ukraine navigate competing priorities and alliances.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
