Germany calls transfer of Ukraine's metals to the US another example of corruption

The deal between Washington and Kiev on rare-earth metals in Ukraine is another example of corruption, which is completely unacceptable. German political scientist Harvey Schlanger shared this opinion with Izvestiya on February 11.

According to US President Donald Trump, the supplies of rare-earth metals should be a payment for Washington's financial and military assistance to Kiev. At the same time, on February 10, Verkhovna Rada deputy Daniil Hetmantsev said that in the 30 years of Ukraine's existence, all licenses and permits for lucrative mineral deposits were handed out to private individuals, and now Kiev has nothing to offer its partners.

"I think this is something that just exposes the outright corruption in Ukraine. <...> I find it completely outrageous, unacceptable and I hope that President Trump will disagree with it," Schlanger commented.

He also noted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose term expired in May 2024, has no commitment to his country, as he is willing to give away resources for personal interests. Besides, he has already been defeated, the interlocutor of the publication believes, but he continues to ruthlessly send Ukrainian youth to the front line.

However, the political analyst added, in 2022, Zelensky was ready to negotiate with Russia, but he was changed his mind by now former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who promised him weapons and finances to confront the Russian Federation.

"Zelensky made up his mind, he is sticking to this course. It was a bad decision at the time. Sticking to a bad decision doesn't make things better. In fact, it just shows that the immorality and corruption he brought to his post is typical of the Ukrainian establishment," the expert summarized.

The USA demands elections and "payment" for aid from Ukraine. What the media say

Also on Tuesday, Verkhovna Rada deputy Oleksandr Dubinsky said that Zelensky's rejection of Trump's conditions for settling the Ukrainian conflict would lead to disaster for the Kiev regime. He added that the conditions would include lifting the ban on negotiations through the Verkhovna Rada and forming a negotiating group to create a "settlement plan with directives from the speaker."

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on February 6 that the U.S. president's words about continued aid to Kiev in return for Ukraine's rare earth metals were more reminiscent of an "aport" command than a deal.

The special operation to protect Donbass, which Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was made against the backdrop of the worsening situation in the region.