The US President Donald Trump reiterated on Friday evening the demand for an agreement on Ukrainian rare earth metals during his speech at the right-wing political conference CPAC on the outskirts of Washington DC. However, the formulation was somewhat toned down compared to previous statements.
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.
Trump is said to have demanded rights to raw materials and assets worth $500 billion – far more than what the US is estimated to have given in support.
Ukraine responded on Sunday by stating that there may be mineral deposits worth around $350 billion – equivalent to approximately 3,700 billion kronor – in the country's eastern parts. The problem is that they are located in areas partially occupied by Russian forces and where Russian military continues to try to advance.
We have information that, unfortunately, there are around $350 billion of important raw materials in the temporarily occupied areas, said Deputy Prime Minister Julia Svyrydenko at a press conference.
Svyrydenko, who is also the Minister of Economy, added that the information is partly based on old statistics, but the scope of the resources also builds on open sources.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has previously announced that he is not ready to sign an agreement, despite increased pressure from the US, without first receiving concrete security guarantees against Russian aggression.
