Don't want Ukraine to become a "warehouse" of raw materials for anyone

According to Anadolu news agency, President Volodymyr Zelensky on February 19 declared the US proposal for a mineral deal unfair because it did not include security guarantees, while emphasizing that Ukraine did not want to become a raw materials supply center.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a visit to Türkiye, February 18. (Source: Reuters)

Last week, Kiev sent Washington a revised draft of an agreement that would open Ukraine's rich mineral resources to US investment.

"This agreement is not ready, we will not sign it. Let's continue working on the draft," President Zelensky shared.

In addition, Turkey's Anadolu news agency also quoted Mr. Zelensky as saying that Ukraine is always ready to receive investments in the country and in resources, but on the condition that "something must be received in return".

"We do not want to become a raw materials center for any continent," the Ukrainian leader stressed.

In addition, in an interview with Reuters in February 2025, President Zelensky outlined the key contents of the agreement with the US. Accordingly, this agreement includes important minerals such as rare earths, titanium, uranium, lithium...

In early February, US President Donald Trump announced that he wanted $500 billion in rare earth minerals from Kiev, and said that Washington's support needed to be "firmly guaranteed".

For his part, President Zelensky affirmed that he believes Ukraine still receives support from Washington, but wants to see stronger backing from his American counterpart.

"We see that the United States has brought President Putin out of his political isolation, but that is their decision. However, when Washington says 'this is the plan to end the conflict', it makes us ask: Where is Ukraine? Are we at the negotiating table? This conflict is happening right here in Ukraine," Mr. Zelensky said.

"There needs to be people at the negotiating table who can offer real security guarantees, not just empty promises, but concrete commitments. We are ready for such a dialogue," Anadolu quoted the Ukrainian leader as saying .

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tong-thong-zelensky-khong-muon-ukraine-tro-thanh-kho-nguyen-lieu-cho-bat-cu-ai-304880.html