In a return for what his country provided, Trump asked Ukraine to reach an agreement to gain access to the country’s rare earth materials as a condition for continuing US support for its war against Russia.
Donald Trump has indicated that he wants to reach an agreement with Ukraine to access the country’s rare earth materials as a condition for continuing US support for its war against Russia.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, the president complained that the US had sent more in military and economic assistance to Ukraine than its European partners, adding: “We’re looking to do a deal with Ukraine where they’re going to secure what we’re giving them with their rare earth and other things.”
He suggested he has received word from the Ukrainian government that it would be willing to make a deal to give the US access to the elements critical to the modern hi-tech economy.
“I want to have security of rare earth,” Mr. Trump added.
“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.”
Mr. Trump, who had previously said he would bring about a rapid end to the war, said talks are ongoing to bring the conflict to a close.
“We made a lot of progress in Russia, Ukraine,” he said. “We’ll see what happens. We’re going to stop that ridiculous war.”
