National Security Advisor Mike Waltz recently urged Ukraine to 'tone down' its criticism of President Donald Trump and consider signing an economic deal that he believes would provide the country with the 'best security guarantee they could ever hope for.'
Waltz's comments came in response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's suggestion that Trump is misinformed about peace talks with Russia, leading to a heated exchange between the two leaders.
Waltz emphasized the frustration within the U.S. administration regarding Ukraine's response, citing the significant support provided to the country, including billions of dollars in military aid since Russia's invasion.
The Trump administration is now looking to recoup the costs of aid by seeking access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals, proposing a deal that would grant the U.S. 50% ownership of these resources.
Despite the proposal, Zelenskyy declined to sign the agreement, expressing concerns about the level of security guarantees it offered for his country.
Waltz highlighted the U.S.'s commitment to Ukraine's security and emphasized the potential benefits of the proposed economic deal as a long-term security measure.
Zelenskyy, on the other hand, acknowledged the assistance and bipartisan support from the U.S., noting a productive meeting with the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Russia and Ukraine.
Overall, the interactions between the U.S. and Ukraine underscore the complexities of international relations and the challenges of balancing economic interests with security concerns.
