Zakharova joked about US intention to seize rare earth resources from Ukraine
The USA has admitted that it intends to take possession of Ukraine's rare-earth metals as compensation for the cost of supporting Kiev. Washington's intention suggests that it is better to first ask about the price of a dish before ordering it in a restaurant, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted on February 5.
"That's why the price of dishes should be clarified before you eat them," the diplomat commented in her Telegram channel.
Earlier in the day, White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said that Ukraine's rare earth metals were needed by the United States to reimburse money spent on aid to Kiev. According to Hughes, the US authorities are now focusing on how best to ensure the return of the money spent.
Before that, on February 4, Yuliya Davydova, an associate professor at the Department of Political Analysis and Social and Psychological Processes at the Plekhanov Russian Economic University, said that lithium and titanium deposits in Ukraine could be of significant interest to the US industry and US leader Donald Trump. According to her, the Ukrainian territory has such metals as scandium, vanadium and beryllium.
On the same day, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that arms deliveries from the US to Ukraine will continue. In addition, he called Trump's proposal to continue aid to Ukraine if Kiev grants Washington access to the country's rare-earth resources.
Prior to that, on February 3, Trump said that in exchange for financial and military assistance, Washington expects Ukraine to guarantee supplies of rare earth metals. He emphasized that the United States would require the EU to increase funding for Kiev's support.
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