Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signaled his readiness to finalize a minerals deal with the United States, a move that could play a pivotal role in the nation’s post-conflict recovery. However, significant obstacles remain, experts caution.
During a late-night briefing with UK media following a landmark summit in London, Zelenskyy stated, “The agreement that's on the table will be signed if the parties are ready.” This optimism comes after a crucial meeting at the White House last Friday, where a proposed U.S.-Ukraine mineral cooperation agreement failed to take shape.
The deal aimed to facilitate the joint exploitation of Ukraine's vast mineral resources as part of a broader U.S.-brokered peace initiative. However, tensions rose during the Oval Office meeting when former President Trump strongly criticized Zelenskyy, urging him to show more gratitude for U.S. support during the three-year conflict and suggesting that without American assistance, Ukraine might have fallen to Russia.
While the agreement offered financial incentives to Washington for supporting Ukraine’s truce efforts, it faced setbacks when Trump declined to commit additional U.S. military support, instead favoring European troops as potential peacekeepers. This impasse leaves Ukraine navigating a complex landscape of international alliances and strategic interests.
Zhao Huirong, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, highlighted the challenges in brokering a minerals agreement, noting competition between U.S. and European interests in mineral cooperation with Ukraine. Furthermore, uncertainties surrounding Ukraine’s mineral reserves and the logistical complexities of extraction add layers of difficulty to the negotiations.
At a recent summit hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, European leaders reaffirmed their commitment to increased security spending and forming a coalition to uphold any potential truce. Despite these efforts, Zhao suggests that Ukraine is likely to deepen its engagement with European nations before revisiting talks with the U.S., as it seeks to secure crucial military aid to prevent further losses.
Looking ahead, experts predict that continued U.S. pressure could pave the way for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine within the next six months to a year. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron proposed a partial one-month truce to Russia, though Zelenskyy maintained that Ukraine would not cede any territory as part of a peace agreement, pointing out that unresolved territorial disputes would hinder the prospect of a lasting peace.
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Zelenskyy ready to sign minerals deal with U.S., but challenges remain
cgtn.com
