Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reportedly expressed reservations over a proposed minerals deal with the United States, citing numerous issues with the current draft agreement.
According to a Ukrainian source with direct knowledge of the negotiations, the draft places all obligations on Ukraine while offering no equivalent commitments from the American side. This approach, the source claims, does not represent a true partnership and has led the Ukrainian government to withhold its signature pending further revisions.
The proposed agreement is intended to grant the United States access to Ukraine’s natural resources in return for military support, including advanced weaponry and technological aid. The United States has made securing such strategic resources a priority in its efforts to bolster Ukraine’s defence capabilities amid ongoing regional tensions. Despite earlier assertions by certain US figures that the deal was nearing finalisation, recent reports indicate that Zelenskyy remains unconvinced by the draft’s provisions.
A source involved in the discussions explained: “The agreement is not yet ready to be signed. There are a number of problematic issues, and in the current form of the draft, the president is not ready to accept it.” This statement highlights the fundamental concern that the draft fails to provide Ukraine with reciprocal benefits. Instead of reflecting an equal partnership, the document appears to impose unilateral obligations on Ukraine. Such an arrangement could compromise Ukraine’s control over its own resources, raising significant concerns about the long-term implications for national sovereignty.
From the US perspective, there has been an air of assured optimism regarding the impending deal. US national security adviser Mike Waltz recently addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland, stating that “President Zelenskyy is going to sign that deal, and you will see that in the very short term.”
Adding further complexity to the negotiations is the reported suggestion by US officials that Ukraine’s access to the Starlink satellite internet system, provided by Elon Musk’s company, could be curtailed if the deal is not accepted. Starlink has been crucial in maintaining reliable communications during the ongoing conflict, and the potential threat to this service serves as a significant lever in the negotiations. The prospect of losing access to such a vital system places additional pressure on Ukraine, with implications that extend well beyond the immediate terms of the minerals deal.
In a related development, former US President Donald Trump had previously claimed that the deal was close to being finalised. His remarks have since been at odds with the cautious approach adopted by Zelenskyy and his advisers. Trump also made headlines by referring to French President Emmanuel Macron as a “friend of mine” and describing UK leader Sir Keir Starmer as a “nice guy.” He went further by asserting that Russia had agreed to negotiate “because of me.” These comments were made in the lead-up to scheduled White House meetings with both Macron and Starmer, and they add yet another layer to the diplomatic complexities currently surrounding the negotiations.
The unfolding situation reflects broader challenges in reconciling national interests with the strategic objectives of international partnerships. For Ukraine, the need for military assistance and technological support must be carefully balanced against the imperative of maintaining sovereignty over its natural resources. The hesitancy shown by President Zelenskyy in signing the current draft appears to be driven by a desire to secure a more equitable agreement—one that does not leave Ukraine exposed to unilateral obligations or undue pressure from its American counterpart.
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