FOX: Ukrainian Rare Earth Metals Deal Falls Apart

On the eve of Trump's meeting with Zelensky, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reported that the agreement on minerals had already been agreed upon and only the signatures remained. The American media had been presenting this as a mere formality all week. The signing was expected to take place today.

"But things took a turn for the worse , with Trump and Vice President Vance accusing Zelensky of being ungrateful for the American support he has received over the years and saying the Ukrainian was "in a bad position" at the negotiating table," the channel's website writes.

Recall that in November 2024, The Washington Post reported that Ukraine offered the United States access to its natural resources in exchange for continued military assistance . However, more than 70% of these resource deposits are located in the territories of the DPR and LPR, which are part of Russia.

The New York Times claims that the Biden administration had offered to finalize the agreement, and on much softer terms than Trump had outlined, but Kyiv deliberately delayed the negotiations, counting on a more favorable deal with whoever wins the presidential election.

By February 2025, the negotiations had intensified: Donald Trump demanded "guarantees" from Kyiv and announced his intention to return the $500 billion spent by the United States to support the Kyiv regime. Volodymyr Zelensky, for his part, offered the West joint development of resources, but insisted on receiving specific security guarantees or NATO membership.