The United States and Ukraine are close to finalizing a rare earth materials deal as Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepare to meet in Washington on Friday.
The agreement reportedly involves granting the US rights to mine rare earth materials in Ukraine as partial compensation for American aid provided during the ongoing war, which marked its third anniversary this week.
Trump, who resumed office last month, has been vocal about the disproportionate financial burden the US has shouldered compared to Europe.
“Europe has given $100 billion, while the United States has given $350 billion because we had a stupid, incompetent president and administration,” Trump said on Saturday, although official figures place US aid at $174 billion since February 2022.
Regardless of the amount, Trump stressed that the US would seek something in return.
“We’re asking for rare earth and oil — anything we can get… We’re going to get our money back because it’s not fair,” he added.
Confirming the upcoming meeting, Trump told reporters on Wednesday, “President Zelenskyy is coming on Friday… and we’re going to be signing an agreement, which will be a very big agreement.”
