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Washington, USA – US President Donald Trump has said that the United States is close to concluding an agreement with Ukraine on the extraction of rare earth resources, and also expressed a desire to return the billions of dollars that Washington has provided to Kyiv in the form of military aid. He made this statement during a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on 22 February, according to a broadcast of the speech on social network X.
“The US wants rare earth metals, oil and everything we can get”
In a speech to conservative politicians, activists and allies, Trump stressed that negotiations with Ukraine on the extraction of strategic resources are actively continuing.
“We are close enough to a deal, and we better be close to a deal. The United States wants rare earth metals, oil, and everything we can get,”Trump said.
Rare earth metals are strategically important for the technology industry, battery production, military equipment and microelectronics. An agreement with Ukraine could significantly strengthen the US position in the global competition for these resources.
Return of military aid to Ukraine?
Trump’s statement about his desire to return the billions of dollars that the US has provided to Ukraine as military aid since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion was scandalous.
“I want to get back the billions we gave to Ukraine. We need to get those funds back,”Trump said.
These words provoked a mixed reaction among conference participants and political experts. Some interpreted this statement as a signal of a possible revision of Kyiv’s military support if Trump wins the election.
Comments on the war in Ukraine
Trump also mentioned the continuation of the Russian-Ukrainian war, calling for its end:
“The war between Russia and Ukraine continues, people are dying – mostly young Ukrainians and Russians, in numbers the world hasn’t seen in years. I spoke with Putin and I hope this horrible war will end soon,”Trump said.
His rhetoric, which focuses on peace talks, has once again raised fears among Ukrainian politicians that he may put pressure on Kyiv to end the war quickly and on terms favourable to Moscow.
Reaction of experts and politicians
Analysts believe that Trump’s announcement of an agreement with Ukraine on rare earth metals mining may indicate the US desire to secure strategic access to critical resources, especially amid heightened competition with China for these materials.
However, the demand to return military aid has sparked outrage among many US lawmakers, who believe that support for Ukraine remains vital to protecting democracy in Europe.
