Ukraine and US fail to reach aid deal in Munich

(CLO) Negotiations between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US Vice President JD Vance concluded at the Munich Security Conference on Friday without any announcement of key agreements that would allow Washington to continue providing aid to Kyiv.

Previously, the two sides had discussed a draft agreement under which Ukraine could grant the US the right to exploit its vast and vital mineral resources in exchange for aid.

"Our team will continue working on this text," Zelenskyy wrote on X, adding that he had a "good meeting" with Vance and that Kyiv "is ready to move toward a real and guaranteed peace as quickly as possible."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks at the Munich Security Conference. Photo: MSC

The exact contentious issue remains unclear, but Ukraine is pressuring for strong security guarantees from Europe and the United States to protect it from Russia in the future should a peace agreement be reached.

President Zelenskyy outlined the key points of the agreement, proposing a mutually beneficial partnership to jointly exploit these resources rather than "giving them away." The minerals in question include rare earth elements, as well as titanium, uranium, lithium, and many others.

Trump, who has not committed to continued military support for Ukraine, has said he wants Kyiv to provide $500 billion worth of rare earth minerals and that Washington's support needs to be "guaranteed".

Ukraine was presented with a draft agreement prepared by the US on Wednesday when US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent visited Kyiv. Zelenskyy said Ukraine would study the draft with the aim of reaching an agreement in Munich.

Bessent told Fox Business Network on Friday that the Trump administration's plan to end the war would link Ukraine's economy to the U.S. economy.

He stated: "Part of this plan begins with more closely integrating the Ukrainian economy with the United States and ensuring that American taxpayers get a return on their investment."

Democratic Senator Brian Schatz, when asked after the meeting whether Zelenskyy considered the U.S. proposal biased, replied: "I think that's fair enough." He said Trump's proposal "needs to be revised," but declined to elaborate.

Hoang Huy (according to MSC, DW, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ukraine-va-my-khong-dat-duoc-thoa-thuan-vien-tro-tai-hoi-nghi-an-ninh-munich-post334589.html