Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Ukraine Agrees to Minerals Deal with US

Kyiv has agreed terms with Washington on a minerals deal that Ukrainian officials hope will improve relations with the Trump administration and pave the way for a long-term US security commitment.

Posted by Corky at 09:31 PM | 59 COMMENTS | permalink

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Ukraine agrees US minerals deal after Washington drops toughest demands https://www.ft.com/content/1890d104-1395-4393-a71d-d299aed448e6

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-- Financial Times (@financialtimes.com) February 25, 2025 at 1:33 PM

Comments

"Ukrainian officials say Kyiv is now ready to sign the agreement on jointly developing its mineral resources, including oil and gas, after...

... the US dropped demands for a right to $500bn in potential revenue from exploiting the resources."

'

"Although the text lacks explicit security guarantees, the officials argued that they had negotiated far more favourable terms and depicted the deal as a way of broadening the relationship with the US to shore up Ukraine's prospects after three years of war.

"The minerals agreement is only part of the picture. We have heard multiple times from the US administration that it's part of a bigger picture," Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine's deputy prime minister and justice minister who has led the negotiations, told the Financial Times on Tuesday.

A Ukrainian official with knowledge of the matter said that Zelenskyy was planning to travel to Washington on Friday to see Trump and formalise the deal."

;;

Trusting Trump for security guarantees against Putin isn't likely to werk out well for Ukraine.

Most people count their fingers after they shake his tiny hand.

#1 | Posted by Corky at 2025-02-25 05:24 PM

What a disgrace this is. Extorting the victim for protection goods.

#2 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2025-02-25 06:07 PM

The plot thickens....

"The news comes after the same source told CNN on Monday that Ukraine was ready to agree to a deal that would grant the United States access to its rare earth minerals in return for US involvement in a reconstruction fund for Ukraine. The source said the Americans had resisted security guarantees being included in the draft.

The precise wording regarding Ukraine's security in the latest draft was unclear.

CNN reported Monday, citing a Ukrainian source familiar with the negotiations, that some of the thornier details about the resources deal would be negotiated in subsequent talks, and that the US and Ukrainian presidents might discuss the security guarantees in person."

www.cnn.com

;;

"a reconstruction fund"

aka the Kyiv Trump Hotel Casino Building Permit.

#3 | Posted by Corky at 2025-02-25 06:30 PM

Shameful
America is disgraceful

#4 | Posted by truthhurts at 2025-02-25 06:32 PM

"...that the US and Ukrainian presidents might discuss the security guarantees in person."

It would be very dangerous for Zelensky to let Putin know his exact location.

#5 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-02-25 06:34 PM

"President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, said he'd heard that Zelenskyy was coming and added that "it's okay with me, if he'd like to, and he would like to sign it together with me."

Trump called it "a very big deal," adding that it could be worth a trillion dollars. It could be whatever, but it's rare earths and other things."

apnews.com

Say what?

It's like having a poorly edumacated orangutan for President.

#6 | Posted by Corky at 2025-02-25 06:57 PM

It's like having a poorly edumacated orangutan for President.

Orangutan with a machinegun.

#7 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-02-25 07:01 PM


What a disgrace this is. Extorting the victim for protection goods.

This is piker material, should have seen what FDR did to England.

#8 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-02-25 08:08 PM

should have seen what FDR did to England.

By all means, post it again for the 4th or 5th time in the last week. Talking point flow chart running out of arrows to follow?

#9 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-02-25 08:14 PM

-What a disgrace this is. Extorting the victim for protection goods.

The disgrace is pretending you wouldn't be cheering this if Biden did it.

Let's face it. Nobody cares we're getting some concessions from Ukraine.

#10 | Posted by eberly at 2025-02-25 08:40 PM

This is a little old but the reality is real

The US military is a mercenary of sorts with our allies.

www.politifact.com

#11 | Posted by eberly at 2025-02-25 08:46 PM

should have seen what FDR did to England.

#8 | POSTED BY IAMRUNT

Should have seen what your nazi brethren did to the Jews.

#12 | Posted by Reinheitsgebot at 2025-02-25 08:48 PM

Let's face it. Nobody cares we're getting some concessions from Ukraine.
#10 | Posted by eberly

Not everyone is like you.

I find it shameful. I also believe that carving up Ukraine hurts us, our standing in the world, our argument against Russia's aggression, and sows the seeds of discord amongst Ukraine's allies.

#13 | Posted by censored at 2025-02-25 08:48 PM

The disgrace is pretending you wouldn't be cheering this if Biden did it.

Let's face it. Nobody cares we're getting some concessions from Ukraine.

Posted by eberly at 2025-02-25 08:40 PM | Reply

I didn't vote for Biden. Please do try again Eberly.

#14 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2025-02-25 08:48 PM

I didn't vote for Biden. Please do try again Eberly.
#14 | Posted by LauraMohr

Jill Stein 2028!

#15 | Posted by censored at 2025-02-25 08:51 PM

Absolutely lame Censored. I voted none of the above in 2020. Wanna try that again??

#16 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2025-02-25 08:52 PM

So we ended a war peacefully, avoided US troop casualties, and got a check for $500 billion.

Who wants to keep crying this was a bad deal? Please step forward to be recognized.

#17 | Posted by eberly at 2025-02-25 08:56 PM

-I didn't vote for Biden. Please do try again Eberly.

how does that matter to this?

The issue is your profound ignorance of history and how the world works.

#18 | Posted by eberly at 2025-02-25 08:57 PM

13

Good for you

#19 | Posted by eberly at 2025-02-25 08:58 PM

So we ended a war peacefully, avoided US troop casualties, and got a check for $500 billion.

Who wants to keep crying this was a bad deal? Please step forward to be recognized.

Posted by eberly at 2025-02-25 08:56 PM | Reply

It's extortion pure and simple. Ukraine gave up its nukes and we assured them that we would protect them if they were attacked. We gave them the help that they need. That should be the end of it. Now Trump's trying to shake them down. That's just wrong. Sorry not sorry.

#20 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2025-02-25 09:04 PM

It's only $500b. If we asked them for a case of good scotch would you still be bitching?

Is it the amount? Fine.....then how much is fair?

Do you have a number in mind?

#21 | Posted by eberly at 2025-02-25 09:12 PM

It's only $500b. If we asked them for a case of good scotch would you still be bitching?

Is it the amount? Fine.....then how much is fair?

Do you have a number in mind?

Posted by eberly at 2025-02-25 09:12 PM | Reply

Zero. That's what. We are/we're fulfilling our end of the agreement. That should be the end of it. You don't make an agreement with someone and then add stipulations on those agreements after the fact. That's just wrong to me.

#22 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2025-02-25 09:16 PM

-You don't make an agreement with someone and then add stipulations on those agreements after the fact. That's just wrong to me.

what do you do for a living? Have you had any business experience whatsoever?

#23 | Posted by eberly at 2025-02-25 09:17 PM

Laura Mohr,

I respect your position on this - it's principled I also find it to be very naive. FWIW - That's more of a compliment, than a criticism.

#24 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-02-25 09:18 PM

call it extortion. fine with me.

But more living Ukranians, Russians, and Americans is a good thing.

Are the mineral rights going to cripple Ukraine? I hope not.

European colonization
the middle east
treaties and $$ exchanged through NATO

It's all paying for access, paying for protection, much like organized crime.

welcome to the real world.

#25 | Posted by eberly at 2025-02-25 09:24 PM

much like organized crime.

Well said.

#26 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-02-25 09:25 PM

But more living Ukranians, Russians, and Americans is a good thing.

Living human beings has never been a Lumper strong point.

We are/we're fulfilling our end of the agreement.

What agreement? If you listened to Corky and GasLighter the US didn't have any "agreement" to defend Ukraine.

#27 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-02-25 09:33 PM


By all means, post it again for the 4th or 5th time in the last week. Talking point flow chart running out of arrows to follow?
#9 | POSTED BY REDIAL

And for the 5th time no one has a defense for ignoring it.

#28 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-02-25 09:35 PM

Gangsters are gonna Gangster.

#29 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2025-02-25 09:39 PM

Ukraine was always a stupid cause. Not really relevant to the Western Sphere.

Just a way to stick it to Russia for doing what the US has done forever.

And it Failed.. Ukraine will be Partitioned.

Most Americans can't even find it on a map. This won't change anyone's life here.

The same result could have happened with far less people being killed and far less damage being done.

Still. Ukraine trusted us and we betrayed that trust.

That Stink won't dissappate overnight.

#30 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2025-02-25 09:47 PM

-I didn't vote for Biden

Neither did anybody else.

#31 | Posted by eberly at 2025-02-25 09:53 PM

Absolutely lame Censored. I voted none of the above in 2020. Wanna try that again??
#16 | Posted by LauraMohr

That's good. For a minute there, I was worried that you wasted your vote.

#32 | Posted by censored at 2025-02-25 09:54 PM

"Absolutely lame Censored. I voted none of the above in 2020. Wanna try that again??
#16 | Posted by LauraMohr

That's good. For a minute there, I was worried that you wasted your vote.

#32 | POSTED BY CENSORED AT 2025-02-25 09:54 PM

I occasionally disagree with you. Nevertheless, you are extremely good at employing sarcasm. I often chuckle.

#33 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-02-25 10:01 PM

For whatever that is worth...

#34 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-02-25 10:01 PM

How does someone "waste a vote"?

That's assuming everyone can only vote for the Duopoly.

Any other vote is "wasted"?

Civics isn't your strong point is it?

Nobody owes anyone a vote no matter how many Idiots say they do.

#35 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2025-02-25 10:02 PM

call it extortion. fine with me. But more living Ukranians, Russians, and Americans is a good thing. Are the mineral rights going to cripple Ukraine? I hope not. European colonization
the middle east treaties and $$ exchanged through NATO It's all paying for access, paying for protection, much like organized crime. welcome to the real world.
#25 | Posted by eberly

That's a lot of words for "appeasement."

#36 | Posted by censored at 2025-02-25 10:04 PM

- should have seen what FDR did to England.

#8 | POSTED BY IAMRUNT

1NumbNut... he appears to be totally incapable of overcoming his Whataboutism Tourette syndrome.

;;

In the news, as it turns out, there's something else going on here.

The 'valuable minerals' were said to be valuable by Russian studies decades ago using antiquated techniques. Also, experts say it could take that long again to extract enough material to make it worthwhile.

Not to mention that transport and facilities that mine the minerals now were thoroughly bombed by Russia. And that the rest of Ukraine is in no shape to handle transportation and facilities.

www.youtube.com

#37 | Posted by Corky at 2025-02-25 10:05 PM

So break this down for me.

Ukraine is giving something, I assume they get what in return? And is Ukraine simply giving up the land lost in the war?

And what's Putin's play in all this? Sure he got some territory but he'll be happy with the deal US/Ukraine made and walk away for the time being?

#38 | Posted by brass30 at 2025-02-25 10:06 PM

The US IS NOT AGREEMENT CAPABLE.

Zelinsky is a slow Learner. He's about to get ------ over again.

Any "Agreement" made won't be worth the paper it's Written on.

But Ukraine has few other options at this point.

Poor Bastards.

#39 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2025-02-25 10:08 PM

Prolly Donald intends to sell the rights to Vlad after he gets them from Ukraine, lol.

#40 | Posted by Corky at 2025-02-25 10:09 PM

Ukraine had declined to sign Trump's version of the deal, with Zelensky saying, "I am not signing something that will be paid by 10 generations of Ukrainians."

so, I guess 10 generations of the US will pay for it.

Ukrain will receive investment money to harvest these minerals. All will benefit with a more faster and efficient way to harvest these minerals

#41 | Posted by Maverick at 2025-02-26 10:46 AM

#41

That was a few days ago... old news.

#42 | Posted by Corky at 2025-02-26 11:46 AM

__________
#38 | Posted by brass30 at 2025-02-25 10:06 PM
So break this down for me. ... Ukraine is giving something, I assume they get what in return? And is Ukraine simply giving up the land lost in the war?

It's a nothingburger, PR opportunity for Trump. No one is getting anything of real value, it's MOU - Ukraine is not getting a defense guarantee and is only giving "access" to REE mining in the areas that are now occupied by Russia - just as agreements with financial firms like BlackRock and JPM and several E&P companies to develop gas fields and help post-war reconstruction, signed before and after Russian invasion.

Just another Trump's Apprentice s**tshow to stroke his ego, after his opportunistic extortion offer bombed ("Can't blame a guy for trying, right?") He will sell it as a "great win and looking after the American people."

Putin is selling Trump the same "access" to the same REEs in "new territories":

www.newsweek.com - Map Shows Ukraine's Rare Earth Minerals That Putin Wants To Sell to Trump (!)

www.newsweek.com - Ukraine Defies Trump As Zelensky Unanimously Backed

.

#37 | Posted by Corky at 2025-02-25 10:05 PM
In the news, as it turns out, there's something else going on here. The 'valuable minerals' were said to be valuable by Russian studies decades ago using antiquated techniques. Also, experts say it could take that long again to extract enough material to make it worthwhile.

REEs are not rare. www.usgs.gov - USGS | Rare Earths Statistics and Information

www.usitc.gov - Recovering Rare Earth Elements from E-Waste: Potential Impacts on NdFeB Magnet Supply Chains - October 2024 {PDF, 41 pg}

With BEVs and "renewable energy" losing their popularity (b/c batteries are expensive and don't "save the planet" from "climate change," among many other issues) the need for and prices of many REEs have been dropping almost as fast as the price of Bitcoin, DJT, $TRUMP and $MELANIA.

e.g., REE-adjacent Li: carboncredits.com - The Lithium Paradox: Price Plummet, Supply Surge, and Demand Dip? - September 16, 2024

China is dominant in production, but from 2019 to 2022 the US was the world's largest global exporter of REEs.

More valuable than actual supply and extraction is the processing / separation of REEs from ore (like oil refineries for crude) where China has distinct advantage because it invested in that.

KoBold Metals, a company funded in part by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, has been looking for suitable new REE mining locations in Greenland for 2 years, but is currently more interested in African locations. Large potential deposits have been recently found in Wyoming, Canada, Norway...

According to a 2022 report, Ukraine has ~5% of the world's mineral resources, including 22 of the 34 "critical" - lanthanum, cerium and erbium, etc. - and has ~500K tons of lithium reserves, and 20% of the world's graphite, used in nuclear plants. Russia currently controls about 20% of Ukraine where possibly 40% of metal resources are located.

public.flourish.studio - World's map of known mineral deposits (JPG)
__________

#43 | Posted by CutiePie at 2025-02-27 05:11 AM

So the EU has stepped in with their own, more favorable to Ukraine, proposal...

#44 | Posted by GalaxiePete at 2025-02-27 09:49 AM

So break this down for me.

Ukraine is giving something, I assume they get what in return? And is Ukraine simply giving up the land lost in the war?

And what's Putin's play in all this? Sure he got some territory but he'll be happy with the deal US/Ukraine made and walk away for the time being?

#38 | Posted by brass30

Here's a good video explaining what is happening on a macro and more micro level in regard to the deals and Rare Earth Elements. Most of them are in regions that are under Russian control or currently very close to being so. I am not sure Putin ends up with territory.

#45 | Posted by GalaxiePete at 2025-02-27 09:54 AM

Now we can add 'extortionist' to the fat------------- pedophile daughter lusting lying grifting felon traitor's name.
How's this sound? Fat------------- pedophile daughter lusting lying extortionist grifting felon traitor.

#46 | Posted by Wildman62 at 2025-02-27 11:49 AM

#44 it's not more favorable when they can't supply Ukraines next offensive.

#47 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2025-02-27 12:02 PM

#44 it's not more favorable when they can't supply Ukraines next offensive.
#47 | Posted by sitzkrieg

Whatever the EU offers is more than what Putin's Beach will put on the table.

#48 | Posted by censored at 2025-02-27 02:23 PM

Democrats are getting advised on this and since their new hero Liz Cheney says it will cut the war down by 18 years they should be against it.

#49 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-02-27 03:40 PM

Acyn
@acyn.bsky.social
Reporter: Do you still think Zelenskyy is a dictator?

Trump: Umm did I say that? I can't believe I said that. Next question

bsky.app

Putin's butt ----- dementia is a national security threat.

#50 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2025-02-27 03:41 PM

Whatever the EU offers is more than what Putin's Beach will put on the table.

#48 | Posted by censored at 2025-02-27 02:23 PM | Reply | Flag:

"Officials in Ukraine and the Trump administration said they have reached a deal that would give the United States revenues from Ukraine's minerals and other natural resources, after an intense pressure campaign by the American president."

#51 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2025-02-27 03:51 PM

* Under the draft agreement, Ukraine would contribute into the fund half of its revenues from the future monetization of natural resources, including critical minerals, oil and gas, as well as earnings from associated infrastructure, such as liquefied natural gas terminals and port infrastructure.

* The fund would not draw on revenue from existing mines, oil wells and other natural resources businesses.

* The United States would own the maximum financial interest in the fund allowed under American law, though not necessarily all. It is unclear how that would be interpreted.

* The fund would be designed to reinvest some revenues into Ukraine.

#52 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2025-02-27 03:52 PM

#51 | Posted by sitzkrieg
#52 | Posted by sitzkrieg

Sorry, didn't see anything in those posts about what Putin's Beach will do for Ukraine in terms of military aid or security guarantees.

#53 | Posted by censored at 2025-02-27 04:01 PM

Sorry, didn't see anything in those posts about what Putin's Beach will do for Ukraine in terms of military aid or security guarantees.

I believe "---- all" would accurately describe what dotard will do for the security of Ukraine.

#54 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2025-02-27 04:04 PM

If all your info comes from here, you're not helping yourself.

#55 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2025-02-27 04:44 PM

If all your info comes from here, you're not helping yourself.
#55 | Posted by sitzkrieg

I'll take that as your confirmation that "nothing" is the answer.

Trump: "No NATO for Ukraine, but us developing Ukrainian mines for a share of the profits is almost as good. Because we would never turn those mines over to Putin when he promises to match Ukraine's deal during his next invasion. And I expect you to believe this because the rest of the world is as dumb as I look."

#56 | Posted by censored at 2025-02-27 04:47 PM

@Sitzkrieg

And Trump proves me right, manufacturing and feigning outrage at Zelenskyy to justify refusing aid while he figures out how many times he can give oral pleasure to Putin at one sitting.

Trump-Refuse-Aid

#57 | Posted by censored at 2025-02-28 01:36 PM

To be clear

Russia invaded Ukraine.

Russia has perpetrated numerous war crimes, including stealing children.

The US, through near universal congressional approval agreed to provide Ukraine with support to defend themselves.

------- comes along, renegs on that agreement, negotiates with russia and NOT Ukraine, blackmails Ukraine to give up half of their national wealth, gives Russia EVERYTHING they want, disrespects Zelensky on a daily basis and has the utter gall to issue the above statement.

I wish Zelensky was my president and not this -------.

#58 | Posted by truthhurts at 2025-02-28 01:40 PM

BTW, for the morons in the audience.

There is a reason why diplomatic language is carefully chosen and very conservative.

Misunderstandings can have very deadly consequences.

And we elected a deranged orangutang with a machine gun.

Who will start WW3 and not even realize it until he is hiding in his bunker, like the bitch he is.

#59 | Posted by truthhurts at 2025-02-28 01:47 PM

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