This is reported by RBK-Ukraine citing The Washington Post. The information comes from Kontrakty.UA.
The publication, referencing six individuals familiar with the negotiation process, indicates 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 to transfer control over 50% of mineral resources has outraged representatives from Ukraine and Europe.
Three high-ranking Ukrainian officials, two European diplomats, and two other individuals acquainted with the situation stated that the request from the U.S. came during Finance Minister Scott Bessent's visit to Kyiv this week, marking him as the first official from Donald Trump’s administration to meet with the Ukrainian leader.
One Ukrainian official mentioned to the publication that Ukraine received the U.S. proposal regarding the deal 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 refused.
According to one of the Ukrainian advisors, the U.S. is pushing for control over a broader range of materials, including rare metals and strategic resources. This includes lithium, graphite, and uranium, which are sometimes confused with rare earth minerals.
Agreement on "Rare Earths"
It is worth noting 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 reported, Ukraine was to finalize the agreement. On February 14, the Ukrainian delegation at the Munich Security Conference informed RBK-Ukraine that the revised draft memorandum was submitted 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". He noted that 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.