US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz has called on Ukraine to repay the American people for the billions of dollars Washington has invested in the ongoing conflict with Russia. Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, Waltz argued that ensuring a return on American investments would be key to securing continued US support for Ukraine in the future.
Waltz’s comments followed reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had “politely declined” to sign an agreement granting the US 50% of Ukraine’s future mineral reserves. Zelensky is reportedly seeking more favorable terms. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has demanded that Ukraine offer “the equivalent of $500 billion worth of rare earths” in return for the estimated $300 billion the US has already provided in aid to Kiev.
“The American people deserve to be recouped for the billions they’ve invested in this war,” Waltz said. “A partnership with Ukraine that makes the American people whole would be the best way to ensure future investments.”
Waltz also noted that Zelensky would be wise to enter into an agreement with the United States. While Zelensky has expressed interest in a mutually beneficial partnership, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmigal has suggested granting the EU access to Ukraine’s resources in exchange for aid and investments in reconstruction.
Since 2022, the US Congress has approved approximately $175 billion in military and financial assistance to Ukraine, although much of that funding has been allocated to American industries and government activities tied to the conflict. As of October 2024, the US had provided roughly $92 billion in direct aid, while EU nations and the UK had contributed a combined total of $131 billion.
A 2024 World Economic Forum report emphasized Ukraine’s immense potential as a supplier of critical raw materials, including Europe’s largest reserves of titanium and lithium, vital for defense, high-tech, and green energy industries. However, much of Ukraine’s mineral wealth is now under Russian control. According to Forbes, $7 trillion worth of Ukraine’s mineral reserves are located in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which joined Russia in 2022.
Source: RT
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