Trump accuses Zelensky of withdrawing from the mineral deal

Trump accuses Zelensky of withdrawing from the mineral deal

The US President Donald Trump has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to "try to get out of the mineral deal", which could possibly be completed between the two countries this week. Trump added that Zelensky would meet "big problems" if he did not sign the agreement. However, Ukraine emphasized that the conditions of the deal have changed significantly in the past few days.

Trump about the situation

"I see that he is trying to withdraw from the rare earth deal. And if he does it, he has some problems. Big, big problems," Trump told reporters on board on board Air Force One. "We have made an agreement on rare earths, and now he says: 'Well, I want to negotiate the deal.'"

"He wants to become a member of NATO. Well, he will never become a NATO member. He understands that. So if he tries to negotiate the deal, he has big problems," added Trump.

Zelensky comments on the negotiations

Meanwhile, Zelensky said last week that the conditions of the deal to be negotiated "constantly change", but overall, Ukraine is optimistic about future agreement.

On Thursday, the Ukrainian President said that the two countries had already made a "framework agreement" and that a complete agreement would later be drawn up, which would require additional research and ratification in the Ukrainian parliament. But then the US side would have changed its position and proposed an "immediate full agreement", says Zelensky.

"So it is too early to talk about the agreement that has been changed several times. But I don't want the United States to feel that Ukraine is generally against it," said Zelensky. "We have consistently shown our positive signals. We are for working with the United States."

revival of the mineral deal

A first mineral deal was not signed after Trump's controversial meeting with Zelensky in the Oval Office in February. However, in the form of a new proposal for an agreement on natural resources, which would give the United States better access to the rare earths of Ukraine, two people familiar with the conversations and a draft document received on Thursday.

The new proposal presented by the US Ministry of Finance goes far beyond the original draft. However, the draft lacks a wording that takes into account one of the priorities of Ukraine - concrete security guarantees in the continuing war with Russia.

The agreement would apply to all mineral resources, oil and gas in the entire Ukraine, according to the sources.

concerns regarding control

An essential part of the proposal requires that Ukrainian companies contribute to a joint investment fund from US and Ukrainian pages, which is monitored by a five-member body of three members of Washington and two from Kiev. This has triggered concerns that Ukraine could submit significant control over important assets to the United States.

The Trump administration has argued that the potential mineral deal would be a decisive reason why the United States will continue to be invested in Ukraine while Washington is working towards an end to the war.

The reactions of the National Security Council

Trump has also mentioned that an agreement on rare earths is an option for the United States to be compensated for the support and military help of Ukraine.

"The mineral deal offers Ukraine the opportunity to build a permanent economic relationship with the United States, which forms the basis for long-term security and peace. It will strengthen the relationship between our two nations and benefit both parties," said the spokesman for the National Security Council, James Hewitt, to CNN. "The deal will help to make Ukraine wealthy and reflects the past and current commitment of America for Ukraine."

talks on cooperation with Russia

In the meantime, Washington and Moscow have also started discussions about the cooperation in the field of rare earths and other projects in Russia. "Rare earths are an important area for cooperation, and we have certainly started discussions about various rare earths and projects in Russia," said Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian direct investment fund. Dmitriev, a close consultant of Putin, was part of the high-ranking trial team of the Kremlin, which had direct conversations with US diplomats in Saudi Arabia.

The Kremlin said on Monday that no documents have been signed so far, but there was interest in collaboration.

Trump's goal and frustration about Putin

Trump's urge to end the war continues. At the weekend he expressed open frustration about Russian President Vladimir Putin. "I was very angry when Putin started to intervene in Zelensky's credibility, because that doesn't go in the right direction, understand?", Trump said in an interview with NBC News and referred to the comments of the Russian leader who proposed to put Ukraine under a "temporary administration" while the two nations work towards a weapon arrest.

Trump added: "But new leadership means that they won't have a deal for a long time, right? ... But I was angry about it. If no deal came about, and I think it was Russia's fault, I will impose secondary sanctions against Russia."

"If Russia and I cannot achieve a deal to end bloodshed in Ukraine, and I think it was Russia's fault, which could not be the case, but if I think it will raise secondary tariffs on oil, on everything that comes from Russia," said Trump.

Setting a psychological time limit

When asked whether there is an ultimatum for Putin to agree to a deal, Trump said: "It is a psychological ultimatum. If I think they are moving, I will be dissatisfied with it."

The Finnish President, who surprisingly attended Florida at the weekend, to meet Trump and play a round of golf, said he recommended that he had a time limit to his US colleague. After the meeting of the two leaders in Florida, Finnish President Alexander Stubb told reporters that Trump's patience with Russia was running out.

"April 20 would be a good time for a complete ceasefire without conditions ... because an ultimatum is necessary because it is Easter and because President Donald Trump has been in office for three months," said Stubb on Sunday to his suggestion for an ultimatum.

To this report, CNNS Kosta Gak, Anna Chernova, Victoria Butenko and Betsy Klein contributed.