No direct correlation between U.S.-Ukraine rare earth minerals deal and security issues — Ukrainian diplomat

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

“For Trump, the main goal today is quick wins, quick successes. That’s why he wanted to quickly annex Canada, annex Greenland, do something similar with the Panama Canal, and so on. He also aimed to resolve the Gaza issue and other situations in a similar fashion. But, clearly, things aren't going in his favor. Everywhere he looks, nothing is working out, nothing is happening as he had hoped, at least in foreign policy. Domestic issues aren’t any easier either, with matters like immigration, healthcare reform, and others that can’t be resolved in just two weeks. And now, there's an opportunity for him to show his strong leadership on something. So, the Finance Minister heads to Ukraine, like a cowboy on a bay mare, saying, 'Let’s sign it right away, and everything will be fine.' Well, he got sent back — and rightfully so, calmed down a bit, and today we have a completely different story,” the diplomat said.

Volodymyr Ohryzko noted that he sees no correlation between the framework agreement with the United States on Ukrainian rare earth minerals and security guarantees for Ukraine.

“Why are we talking about this deal now? Well, precisely because it seems to me that Trump needs it more for purely propaganda purposes and his methods of conducting foreign policy, and nothing more. I don't see a direct correlation between this particular agreement to be signed, because it is, in fact, a framework document that does not yet oblige anyone to anything in terms of security. Security is a separate issue,” he said.

• On February 25, the FT reported that Kyiv had agreed a deal with Washington on Ukrainian rare earth minerals after the U.S. rejected the toughest demands, but the document lacks clear security guarantees.
• On February 26, Volodymyr Zelenskyy assured that the agreement between Ukraine and the United States does not include any debts for Kyiv.
• Journalists of European Pravda have received the full text of the framework agreement between Ukraine and the United States on minerals to be signed this week.
• The agreement on Ukrainian rare earth minerals with the U.S. now mentions security guarantees for Kyiv. Zelenskyy says it could be a major success or go unnoticed.