Donald Trump threatens Selenskyj if the raw material agreement is withdrawn

US President Donald Trump has warned Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj to withdraw from the planned raw material agreement with the United States. “I see that he is trying to get out of the agreement about rare earths,” said Trump on Sunday on board the Air Force One. “And if he does that, he has a few problems. Big, big problems.”

The agreement stipulates that the USA and Ukraine will in future promote raw materials in the Ukrainian area. The income should flow into a common fund. Trump looks at the agreement in return for the military aid provided by the USA. Selenskyj, on the other hand, complained that the agreement did not contain any express security guarantees for Ukraine.

The signing of the agreement had burst at the end of February after a scandal had occurred in the White House. Trump and his Vice President JD Vance had accused Selenskyj disrespect and lack of gratitude for US military aid. A few days later, Selenskyj emphasized his willingness to sign.

Ukraine has around five percent of the global mineral resources, but mostly not yet developed. Many of these occurrences are located in Russian -occupied areas, which also makes funding difficult.

In parallel to the negotiations on the raw material agreement, representatives of the United States had talks with Russia and Ukraine about a 30-day ceasefire. This is intended to temporarily stop attacks on energy infrastructure and in the Black Sea. However, Moscow provided conditions for implementation.