Maseru, Feb.17—As compensation for Washington’s military and financial aid to Ukraine, the U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly proposed that Ukraine transfer a 50 percent stake in its rare earth minerals.
Under the proposal, Ukraine would grant partial ownership of its mineral reserves instead of making financial repayments to Washington.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent presented the proposal to President Volodymyr Zelensky during their meeting Wednesday last week in Kyiv, reports said.
According to reports, the plan also includes the possible deployment of American troops to safeguard these mineral sites in the Eastern European country, contingent on a diplomatic resolution with Russia. The Trump administration’s suggestion signalled an openness to deploying American troops there.
