Claims that Ukraine is preparing to surrender... Trump: 'A deal is very close'
It has been suggested that the war between Russia and Ukraine could end 'in a short time' with US mediation. According to claims in the foreign press, Ukraine may surrender by soon reaching an agreement with the US regarding the war reparations it will pay.
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Ukraine has initiated efforts to reach an agreement with the Trump administration regarding a 500 billion dollar mineral fund proposed by the US for the repayment of aid received during the war. Ukrainian officials stated that they find the US demand excessive, claiming that the aid amounts to around 90 billion dollars. The US press reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not ready to approve the current draft. It was noted that if an agreement is reached between the US and Ukraine to maintain post-war peace, the Kyiv administration could accept the terms proposed by Russia.
US President Donald Trump has demanded the repayment of billions of dollars in military and economic support provided to the country in exchange for access to Ukraine's natural resources. In a statement this week, Trump said, 'We will get our money back and we want rare earth elements and oil.'
Russian troops launched an offensive as Ukraine's arms supply from the US was interrupted. The Russian army has taken control of most of the Kursk region and has also made progress in Donetsk.
Speaking to the Financial Times, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that the proposed agreement would allocate a portion of the revenue Ukraine derives from natural resources, infrastructure, and other assets to the US. Bessent added that this fund would focus on Ukraine's long-term reconstruction and development, but noted that the US would not take ownership of physical assets in the country, adding that the agreement would not burden Ukraine with further debt.
The Ukrainian side, finding these US demands heavy, emphasized that the lack of guarantees for future military and financial aid is causing a deadlock in negotiations. On the other hand, according to claims in the foreign press, Ukraine has submitted a version of the mineral deal proposed by the US that it 'could accept' to US officials.
According to Trump's claim, 1.5 million people have lost their lives in the war in Ukraine so far.
NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE US AND UKRAINE
Ukrainian officials recalled that in meetings held last week with US special envoy Keith Kellogg, they rejected an initial proposal that envisioned securing 50 percent of the revenue from minerals, oil, gas, and ports. During his two-day visit to Ukraine, Kellogg visited wounded Ukrainian soldiers and met with Zelenskyy.
According to a Bloomberg report, Zelenskyy requested a meeting with Trump before any potential meeting between the US President and Russian President Vladimir Putin during his talks with Kellogg. The report claimed that Zelenskyy is prepared to supply rare earth minerals to the US in exchange for security guarantees. It was reported that the Ukrainian leader wants the final version of the agreement to be signed in the presence of the two countries' presidents.
Kellogg described Zelenskyy as a 'brave leader.' However, Trump described Zelenskyy as a 'dictator without elections' in a statement earlier this week. Following this statement, tensions between Ukraine and the US escalated. Ukrainian politicians made consecutive statements after Trump's 'dictator' remark targeting Zelenskyy.
Members of parliament and bureaucrats expressed in statements on their social media accounts that this proposal resembles a colonial approach. The Ukrainian side stated that there is currently no clear demand, but the uncertainty of future aid is making negotiations difficult.
US special envoy Keith Kellogg
WILL UKRAINE ACCEPT THE US TERMS?
In a statement on Friday, Trump argued that the mineral deal is 'very close.' The White House, meanwhile, pointed out that the agreement is not a guarantee of future aid in the war with Russia.
In a statement to Fox News, Kellogg said, 'All wars end in negotiations.' Kellogg stated that the mineral deal with Ukraine is almost complete. Another source participating in the talks said that the Ukrainian side has made proposals to the agreement text and sent the text back to the American side.
According to claims in the US press, Ukraine will agree to end the war if it reaches an agreement with the US regarding its economic resources. According to reports, the Trump administration, which demands not only Ukraine's minerals but 'half of all its economic resources,' is striving to achieve a ceasefire by Easter (April 20).