Antony Blinken unveils Zelenskyy’s rare earth metals proposal for US military aid

Former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has confirmed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally proposed a deal involving Ukrainian mineral resources in exchange for military assistance from the United States.

Thus, Blinken revealed that Zelenskyy offered cooperation on rare earth metals as part of a package of aid discussions during the final six months of the previous US administration, Caliber.Az reports, citing US media.

In an interview with the network, Blinken stated that the proposal included provisions for collaboration on rare earth materials, which are critical for various technological industries.

When asked by the host whether he considered the exchange of Ukrainian resources for US military support to be fair, Blinken responded affirmatively, acknowledging the potential benefits of such an arrangement for both countries.

Note that the United States and Ukraine are engaged in negotiations over a significant minerals agreement. Technical consultations are scheduled to begin in Washington on April 11, as confirmed by Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna. 

This agreement aims to grant the U.S. access to Ukraine's rich mineral resources, including critical elements like lithium, titanium, and uranium, which are vital for the energy, military, and nuclear sectors. However, tensions persist over resource control, with the U.S. seeking a 50% share of future revenues from key Ukrainian resources and additional rights to Ukrainian oil and gas, sparking concerns among Kyiv lawmakers. 

Ukrainian officials emphasize that any agreement must align with national interests and not interfere with existing financial obligations to the European Union or the International

By Aghakazim Guliyev