US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz has called on Ukraine to sign a minerals agreement with the United States, Yevropeyska Pravda reports.
On Fox News, Waltz spoke about the White House's vain expectations because Kyiv rejected "a truly historic opportunity to have the United States as a co-investor in the Ukrainian economy, its resources, and a true partner in Ukraine's future in a way that would be the best security guarantee they want."
Trump's adviser also complained about the vain hopes of Vice President J.D. Vance in Munich and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant, who visited Kyiv, to sign the agreement.
"Given what America has done for Ukraine, they need to tone it down, take a good look and sign this agreement... We have done a lot for the security of Ukraine, and the fact that we want to change the nature of our assistance cannot offend anyone. The president is ready to bring this war to an end," Waltz said.
The Trump adviser also denied that the United States did not consult with Ukraine and its allies.
"There is a term for this in diplomacy. It's called “shuttle diplomacy” because inviting everyone to the table at the same time hasn't worked in the past... So we've engaged one side, we've engaged the other side, and then we're going to have a process moving forward under the direction and leadership of President Trump," Waltz said.
- This month, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent visited Ukraine and brought a draft agreement on rare earth metals. The United States wanted to take ownership of 50% of the raw materials as compensation for its assistance in the war. Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not agree to take such a step and did not sign the agreement.
- The document was later finalised and handed over to the Americans at the Munich Security Conference.
- Later, Zelenskyy said that the American proposals for access to Ukraine's valuable minerals were clear in only one respect: getting half of the Ukrainian resources listed in the document. But there was nothing about security guarantees.