US President Donald Trump stated that he received an important letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which, in particular, indicates that Ukraine is ready to sit down at the negotiating table and sign an agreement on minerals, UNN reports.
Details
"Earlier today, I received an important letter from President Zelenskyy. He says that Ukraine is ready to sit down at the negotiating table as soon as possible to achieve lasting peace. No one wants peace more than Ukrainians. My team and I are ready to work under President Trump's strong leadership to achieve peace. We appreciate how much the US has done to help Ukraine support its sovereignty and independence. According to the agreement on minerals and guarantees, Ukraine is ready to sign this at any time. I am grateful for this letter," Trump said.
He added that he had received strong signals for peace from Russia.
"Isn't that wonderful? Isn't that beautiful? It's time to stop this madness, it's time to stop the killings, it's time to stop this meaningless war," Trump added.
What is known about the rare earth agreement?
On February 26, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the signing of an agreement with the United States on subsoil. However, the government did not publish the text of the agreement. It was distributed by the media.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal announced on February 28 that this agreement is an agreement on a future agreement on the creation of an Investment Fund for the development and reconstruction of Ukraine. "Accordingly, this agreement describes the framework for the formation or signing of the next agreement. All subsequent steps after signing are the creation of an appropriate delegation, which will be approved by a government decision, as required by the Law of Ukraine on international treaties. The delegation will receive appropriate directives, and then intergovernmental work will take place between the government of Ukraine and the government of the United States on developing the draft of this, in fact, agreement on the creation of the Investment Fund for the development and reconstruction of Ukraine. All subsequent steps are clearly prescribed by the Law of Ukraine "On International Treaties of Ukraine," Shmyhal said.
The Prime Minister stated that the agreement on the creation of the Investment Fund will have the character of an international agreement. In this regard, it will be approved by the government and also ratified by the parliament, and it will fully describe all the specifics of how this fund will work. The agreement between Ukraine and the United States on minerals will provide for the creation of a fund for the restoration of Ukraine, where 50% will be Ukraine's contribution. 2
On February 7, Kevin Hassett, Director of the National Economic Council at the White House, stated that the US hopes to receive about $20 billion from the agreement with Ukraine on rare earth minerals.
Statements about the agreement from Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy
According to Trump, the so-called minerals agreement will act as insurance against a future Russian attack. President Zelenskyy stated that the final version of the agreement with the US on minerals does not make Ukraine a debtor. It does not specify any amount that Ukraine should return to the US. The Economist, citing sources, reported on February 27 that Zelenskyy does not intend to sign a second agreement with the United States if it does not include broader security guarantees for Ukraine.
On March 4, Zelenskyy announced Ukraine's readiness to sign a framework agreement on the creation of an investment development fund. The document provides for cooperation in the field of minerals and the creation of a recovery fund with a 50% contribution from Ukraine.