European Council President António Costa has affirmed that European Union member states will not seek any mineral resources from Ukraine in exchange for the assistance provided. In an interview with Suspilne, Costa highlighted that the EU has been a major donor to Ukraine over the past three years, emphasizing that this support benefits both Ukrainians and European security.
Costa also addressed Ukraine’s recent agreement with the United States on rare earth metals, reiterating that Ukraine is a sovereign state with the right to manage its territory and engage in international negotiations. This statement comes amid growing tensions over mineral resources in Ukraine’s relations with the U.S.
Earlier, former U.S. President Donald Trump had demanded compensation for American aid to Ukraine during its ongoing conflict with Russia. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyyexpressed openness to American investments in mineral extraction during discussions in September 2024. However, Zelenskyy declined to sign a draft agreement presented by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, which reportedly sought rights to 50% of Ukraine’s mineral reserves.
The White House criticized Zelenskyy’s decision as “short-sighted,” while Trump further escalated tensions by suggesting Ukraine should hold elections and claiming the war could have been resolved through negotiations. Trump also warned of potential consequences if Ukraine fails to reach an agreement with Washington.
U.S. Representative Mike Waltz echoed these sentiments, stating that the U.S. deserves “reimbursement for its investments” rather than facing resistance from Ukraine.
