This is reported by RBK-Ukraine citing The Washington Post. Additionally, Kontrakty.UA has reported on this matter.
The publication, referring to seven individuals familiar with the negotiations, notes that Ukraine is working on a counterproposal for the U.S. regarding access to resources, but with enhanced American security guarantees.
According to WP, the U.S. demand for control over 50% of mineral resources has outraged representatives from Ukraine and Europe.
As stated by three senior Ukrainian officials, two European diplomats, and two others familiar with the situation, the U.S. request came when Finance Minister Scott Bessent visited Kyiv this week, becoming the first government official from the Donald Trump administration to meet with the Ukrainian leader.
One of the Ukrainian high-ranking officials informed the publication that Ukraine received the U.S. proposal for the agreement only four hours before Bessent's meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv. During the meeting, Bessent reportedly insisted on signing the agreement, but Zelensky declined.
According to one of the Ukrainian advisors, the U.S. insists on control over a broader range of materials, including rare metals and strategic materials. This includes lithium, graphite, and uranium, which are sometimes confused with rare earth minerals.
Agreement on "Rare Earths"
It should be recalled that the U.S. is discussing a strategic partnership agreement with Ukraine. This was presented to the Ukrainian side by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during his visit to Ukraine this week.
As noted, Ukraine was supposed to finalize the agreement. On February 14, the Ukrainian delegation at the Munich Security Conference informed RBK-Ukraine that they had submitted a revised draft memorandum to the U.S.
On the same day, a Washington Post journalist stated that the U.S. wants Ukraine to transfer rights to 50% of "rare earths." According to him, Volodymyr Zelensky refused to sign the agreement.
On the sidelines of the Munich Conference, Zelensky stated that the agreement is not yet ready, and the discussion process with the American side is ongoing.