US President Donald Trump stated on Monday that he is seeking an agreement with Ukraine to gain access to the country’s rare earth resources. In exchange, the United States would continue its support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

Frustration with European Allies

During a conversation with reporters in the Oval Office, Trump expressed frustration with the US’s contribution compared to European countries. He said, “We’re looking to do a deal with Ukraine where they’re going to secure what we’re giving them with their rare earth and other things.”

Ukraine Willing to Negotiate

Furthermore, Trump shared that Ukrainian officials are open to negotiating a deal. They are willing to offer the US access to essential resources that are crucial for the high-tech sector.

Trump Wants Rare Earth Security

“I want to have security of rare earth,” Trump explained. “We’re putting in hundreds of billions of dollars. They have great rare earth. And I want security of the rare earth, and they’re willing to do it.”

Ongoing Peace Talks

In addition, Trump emphasized that discussions are ongoing to bring the war to an end. He said, “We made a lot of progress on Russia, Ukraine. We’ll see what happens. We’re going to stop that ridiculous war.”

Zelenskyy Rejects Talks Without Ukraine

On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to Trump’s statement. He declared that any talks between the US and Russia without Ukraine’s involvement are “unacceptable.” He added, “They may have their own relations, but talking about Ukraine without us — it is dangerous for everyone.”

Zelenskyy’s Team in Contact with US

Moreover, Zelenskyy confirmed that his team has been in contact with the Trump administration. However, the discussions are still in the early stages. He believes that in-person meetings will soon take place to discuss the details further. “We need to work more on this,” Zelenskyy concluded.