The statement, which Trump made at the right-wing political conference CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) on the outskirts of Washington DC, can be seen as somewhat more subdued than previous tones from the president on the issue.
I want them to give us something for all the money we've sent. We're asking for rare earth minerals and oil, everything we can get, said Trump and continued:
We'll get our money back because it's not fair. And we'll see, but I think we're close to an agreement, and it's best because it's been a terrible situation.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has announced that he is not ready to sign an agreement, despite increased pressure from the USA, without first receiving concrete security guarantees against Russian aggression.
Trump is said to have demanded Ukraine grant rights to Ukrainian raw materials and assets worth $500 billion in order to continue supporting the country. The sum is several times higher than what the USA is said to have given in support, and has been criticized for constituting extortion against a war-torn country.
Zelenskyj has refused the demand, which has made Trump angry. This week, Trump called Zelenskyj a "dictator" and demanded that he "act faster if he wants to have a country left".
The negotiations continue, according to a high-ranking Ukrainian source.
