Trump-Zelensky talks falter over $15 trillion resource deal
Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky met in Washington on Friday. The presidents were supposed to sign an agreement to partner in exploiting Ukraine's natural resources, but that did not happen. We describe what the key document, which has been widely discussed in recent days, actually contains.
The portal European Truth reported last week, even before the meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, which ended with an exchange of words, that the agreement between the United States and Ukraine, which is expected to be signed, provides for the creation of an Investment Recovery Fund. This fund will be financed, among other things, by the extraction of resources, including oil and gas. Ukraine will contribute 50 percent of its revenues from this source.
USA-Ukraine agreement
The document, which was not ultimately signed on Friday, foresaw that the Recovery Fund would not include Ukraine's current budget revenues and that the contributions would be reinvested in the national economy and security. Neither party can sell or transfer shares without the other's consent.
The document also states that the USA will support Ukraine's economic development in the future. However, the media reported that the agreement does not include American security guarantees, which Kyiv initially insisted on. Zelensky called the agreement a "framework agreement," emphasizing its success depends on talks with the U.S. president.
Negotiations fiasco
Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to Washington on Friday to sign an agreement on resource extraction in Ukraine, but the deal was ultimately not finalized. At the start of the meeting in the Oval Office, Trump stated that they had reached a fair agreement and emphasized the United States' commitment to extracting rare earth materials, adding that they were prepared to move forward with significant involvement in the process.
At a certain point, the atmosphere of the meeting became tense. Donald Trump told Volodymyr Zelensky that he is not in a position to dictate anything and that he is not showing respect. He also stated that the Ukrainian president is "playing with World War III."
"We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE.
He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace," wrote Donald Trump after the meeting.
Here's the game
The value of Ukraine's valuable resources is estimated at $15 trillion, said Andrzej Jagielski, an expert from the State Geological Institute. According to him, gaining access to Ukrainian deposits would enable the USA to break China's dominance in this area.
An expert from the Polish Geological Institute reported that Ukraine currently possesses some of the largest deposits of critical resources in Europe, which are essential for the development of technologies in fields such as space, military, and energy. The country ranks among the ten largest holders of documented titanium deposits, and regarding lithium, Ukraine contains one-third of the European resources. Furthermore, it has substantial amounts of tantalum, niobium, beryllium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite.
"The utilization of these resources by humanity means a huge leap in civilizational development, which can be compared to transitioning from the Stone Age to the Iron Age," said Andrzej Jagielski.
