Donald Trump has accused Volodymyr Zelensky of attempting to withdraw from a minerals deal with the U.S., citing concerns over Ukrainian EU accession. Meanwhile, Russia has launched numerous drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, and Trump’s frustration with Putin grows as ceasefire talks stall.
Former President Donald Trump has publicly accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of attempting to withdraw from a minerals deal with the United States. While speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump stated, “He’s trying to back out of the rare earth deal and if he does that he’s got some problems, big, big problems.” The agreement, as reported by the Financial Times, would enable the U.S. to access Ukraine’s oil, gas, and mineral deposits and involve a joint investment fund to share revenues between the two nations.
In response, President Zelensky indicated that he would not proceed with the deal if it jeopardized Ukraine’s future integration with the European Union, citing concerns about compliance with the EU’s economic sovereignty regulations. Furthermore, the Kremlin has commenced talks with Washington regarding its own rare earth and minerals agreement, according to Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, who emphasized the significance of cooperation in the area of rare earth metals.
On another front, the Ukrainian air force reported that Russia had launched a significant strike, deploying 131 drones and two Iskander-M ballistic missiles overnight. The air force successfully intercepted 57 drones, while an additional 45 appeared to have been neutralized by electronic countermeasures before reaching their targets.
Amidst ongoing tensions and stalled ceasefire negotiations, Trump expressed his displeasure towards Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating he was “p—ed off” and contemplating new sanctions against Russia. Additionally, he reaffirmed his previous promise to resolve the conflict in Ukraine swiftly. Trump also mentioned the replacement of Zelensky with a transitional government as a condition for peace talks, which added to his frustration regarding the situation.
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to unfold with significant geopolitical implications. Donald Trump’s criticism of Zelensky regarding the minerals deal highlights tensions between Ukraine and the U.S., as well as potential impacts on European Union relations. Meanwhile, the Russian military intensifies its attacks, further complicating ceasefire discussions. Trump’s growing frustration with Putin and his threats of sanctions reflect the urgent need for diplomatic solutions in the region.
Original Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
