Trump to meet Zelensky, demands rare earth metals for U.S. support
Donald Trump said on Friday that he would "probably" meet with President Zelensky of Ukraine next week. The meeting is expected to address topics such as rare earth metals, which Ukraine has promised in exchange for further military assistance and ending the war.
Trump also mentioned that he plans to speak with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The American President stated that he and Putin "always had a very good relationship."
"Millions of people are being killed. It’s a vicious situation. The real killing now is on the war front. It's a very flat land, and the only thing that stops a bullet is somebody's body, and you have young soldiers. So, Russia's lost about 800,000 soldiers now. Ukraine's lost about 600,000 or 700,000. I think the numbers are lower than they're giving out," Trump claimed.
He also emphasized that this war would not have started at all if he were president.
Donald Trump additionally stated that he wants to discuss with Zelensky the issue of rare earth metals for the "security" of U.S. expenditures. He believes that Europe is investing less in the war in Ukraine than the United States, which is why America wants something "in return."
The U.S. President announced that he would ask Europe to "equalize" expenses on supporting Ukraine. According to Trump, these expenses amount to $300 (CAD 430) billion on the U.S. side, although his envoy for Russia and Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, mentions $170 (CAD 240) billion. Ukraine is to "secure" rare earth metals equal to the expenses incurred by the U.S.
"We're looking to do a deal with Ukraine, where they're going to secure what we're giving them with their rare earths and other things," said Trump.
