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February 24, 2025 | 02:59 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The President of the United States, Donald Trump, said on Saturday, February 22, 2025, that he will ask for the return of U.S. aid to Ukraine worth billions of dollars. The funds were intended to help Ukraine fight against Russia over the past three years.
Trump's statement came as the United States and Ukraine were in negotiations over a desired mineral resource deal by Washington. He demands the rare earth mineral as compensation for the assistance given by his predecessor Joe Biden to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Trump's statement is the latest development during the first month of his presidency. Trump has altered U.S. foreign policy by taking a diplomatic approach to the Kremlin concerning the issues of Ukraine and Europe.
Trump told delegates at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) near Washington, "I want them to give us something for all of the money that we put up. So, we're asking for rare earth and oil, anything we can get," Trump was quoted as saying by NDTV.
"We're going to get our money back because it's not fair. And we will see. But I think we're pretty close to a deal, and we better be close to a deal," he said.
Several hours earlier, a source said that Zelenskiy was not ready to sign the deal, despite increasing pressure from the U.S.
Trump's special envoy, Keith Kellogg, who met Zelenskiy this week, said the Ukrainian president understands that signing a deal with the United States is important. However, Ukrainian sources said that Kyiv needs guarantees first.
"In the form in which the draft is now, the president (Zelenskiy) is not ready to accept, we are still trying to make changes and add constructiveness," said a source close to the matter.
Ukraine wants any agreement signed with the United States to include security guarantees when fighting against Russia. Negotiations between the U.S. and Ukraine are taking place amidst a war of words between Trump and Zelenskiy, raising concerns in Ukraine and Europe.
Last Wednesday, Trump referred to Zelenskiy as a dictator. He urged Zelenskiy to end the war with Russia soon.
Trump has requested rare earth minerals worth US$500 billion to replace the aid given to Kyiv. Ukraine has rejected the amount which is much higher than the aid from the U.S. that was made public.
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