Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, President Donald Trump declared that he wants a “deal” with Ukraine to gain access to the country’s rare metal resources for continued US support in its war against Russia.
Trump referred to the fact that the US has sent more military and economic aid to Ukraine than its European allies, adding, according to AP and Reuters.
– We’re looking to do a deal with Ukraine where they’re going to secure what we’re giving them with their rare earths and other things, the US president explained.
Trump indicated that he has been told by the Ukrainian government that, among other things, they would be willing to give the US access to the minerals that are “critical to the modern high-tech economy”.
– We’re putting in hundreds of billions of dollars. They have great rare earth. And I want security of the rare earth, and they’re willing to do it.
“Going to stop that ridiculous war”
Trump has previously said he would bring an end to the war within 24 hours of taking office and insisted that talks are indeed underway to end the conflict, claims dismissed by Russian sources.
– We made a lot of progress on Russia, Ukraine, Trump said.
– We’ll see what happens. We’re going to stop that ridiculous war, the President continued.
Trump’s call for “compensation” has been met with criticism from other Western bloc countries, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, referring to a meeting with other EU leaders, saying that “it would be very selfish” and that such resources would be better used for the country’s post-war reconstruction.
