**Ukraine Warns Against Becoming a “Center for Raw Materials”**
President Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken out against Ukraine becoming a hub for the extraction of raw materials. In an interview with CNN Turk, he said that his country is open to investment, but only if certain conditions are met.
**No Sign of Agreement Yet**
This comes after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent delivered a draft agreement on critical minerals to Zelensky earlier this month. However, the president has refused to sign it, citing concerns over security guarantees. A Ukrainian delegation led by Zelensky met with US delegates at the Munich Security Conference, but no deal was reached.
**Ukraine’s Conditions**
Zelensky made it clear that Ukraine is willing to cooperate on investment and trade, as long as its own security interests are protected. He emphasized that his country does not want to become a mere source of raw materials for others.
**US Goals**
The US has been pushing for access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, with reports suggesting they want to obtain 50% of the country’s resources. There have also been hints at deploying American troops to guard these resources in exchange for a deal with Russia to end the war.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com