White House and Ukraine Close In on Deal For Mineral Rights

[NJCher]

9. Here's from a story published by WSJ an hour ago, around 5 p.m.

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Ukraine also has deposits of rare earths, essential in certain high-tech industries, including defense and renewable energy. While potentially plentiful, the reserves would require massive investment to develop, even in peacetime, and many are located in areas occupied by Russia.

Zelensky on Wednesday told reporters that the deal shown to him by Bessent had been “unclear,” apart from demanding 50% of a list of Ukrainian natural resources. The Ukrainian leader said he rejected that document but was ready to discuss a deal that also included U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine.

Zelensky said he was grateful for U.S. aid to Ukraine, which he put at around $100 billion in military and financial support. But he said Trump’s demand for $500 billion worth of minerals in return was excessive.

Still, he has said he is open to working on the proposal and striking a security-and-economic agreement.

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https://www.wsj.com/world/trump-ukraine-mineral-deal-sign-e2ff7d3f?mod=article_inline