Kiev supports minerals agreement ‘beneficial to US and America’
(MENAFN) Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga made an awkward slip during a press briefing on Tuesday, mistakenly referring to the United States as “America” while discussing a critical minerals deal between Ukraine and the US. Sibiga confirmed that negotiations for the agreement, which would allow the US to access Ukraine’s mineral resources in exchange for continued military aid, are ongoing.
The deal, originally proposed by President Volodymyr Zelensky as part of his "victory plan" before the 2024 US election, aims to secure continued American support against Russia by granting privileged access to Ukraine's rare-earth minerals. Sibiga emphasized that the deal would benefit both the US and Ukraine, though his reference to "America" as both the recipient and provider of benefits raised eyebrows.
The deal’s signing was expected in February but was delayed by a public fallout between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump, who accused Ukraine of ingratitude and being unwilling to pursue peace talks with Russia.
The terms of the agreement have since become tougher for Ukraine. The US is reportedly demanding repayment of all military aid provided to Ukraine since the conflict’s escalation in 2022, with a 4% annual interest rate before Ukraine can access any profits from the joint extraction fund. Since 2022, the US has allocated over $123 billion in aid to Ukraine, with Trump claiming the total cost to the US exceeds $300 billion.
While Zelensky has expressed dissatisfaction with the new terms, he has not rejected the proposal outright. Trump, on the other hand, has warned that Zelensky would face serious consequences if he attempts to back out of the deal.
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