FT calls Zelensky's proposal to transfer Ukrainian resources to the U.S. a mistake

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (his term of office expires in May 2024) has made a strategic mistake by not indicating the total value or any specific data of the deal on the appropriation of rare-earth resources by the US side in exchange for financial and military assistance to Kiev. This was reported by the Financial Times (FT) on February 18, citing European and Ukrainian officials.

According to one of them, Zelensky's offer to hand over control of the minerals to the United States was apparently "designed as bait" for American President Donald Trump, but the lack of necessary details meant that the United States leader could "name his price."

The Ukrainian president should have made it clear that the appropriation of resources for Washington would be inextricably linked "to future guarantees of [US] security assistance", according to the FT interlocutor.

"Some of Zelensky's entourage regret the way it (Zelensky's putting forward the idea of mineral transfers. - Ed.) was done. There was a loss of control over the situation," - emphasized in the publication.

It is added that now the Ukrainian leader's team is "trying to come up with an attractive counter-proposal".

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Earlier, on February 16, it was reported that Zelensky was given an hour to consider Trump's plan to appropriate rare earth resources of Ukraine. It was specified that the Ukrainian team agreed to delay the execution and agreed to start the negotiation process.

Trump said on February 3 that in exchange for financial and military assistance, Washington expects Ukraine to guarantee the supply of rare earth metals. He emphasized that the United States would require the EU to increase funding for support for Kiev.

The next day, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that arms deliveries from the United States to Ukraine would continue. In addition, he called Trump's proposal to continue aid to Ukraine if Kiev gives Washington access to the country's rare-earth resources.