MOSCOW, February 28. /TASS/. The talks between US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Zelensky will one way or another end with a "disgraceful departure" for the representative of the Kiev regime, according to political scientist Vladimir Karasev, an expert in international relations. He told TASS that if Zelensky caves to the US and signs the agreement on rare earth elements, he will put himself on shaky ground in Kiev, while a refusal would lead to conflict with the US
On February 27, Trump confirmed his intention to sign an agreement with Zelensky regarding the mining of rare earth elements and other minerals in Ukraine. According to Reuters, which cited a US presidential administration official, the agreement on minerals and economic partnership with Ukraine does not include guarantees for financing combat operations or any commitments involving US Armed Forces.
"Negotiations between Zelensky and Trump will not end in nothing. I suspect they will culminate in Zelensky's disgraceful departure. If he signs what Trump is offering, it will effectively be the end of his rule. He will be swept away like dead wood, eliminated by his own people. On the other hand, if Zelensky refuses to sign, the question arises: why did he meet with Trump? To reiterate, 'Russia is bad, but I am good, so give me more money?' He isn’t dealing with Biden; he’s up against Trump. In this situation, he has no chance," the expert stated.
Karasev also pointed out that the territory controlled by Kiev, where these resources are located, is shrinking daily. As a result, Zelensky might attempt to offer the US a symbolic gesture to appease it.
The minerals agreement, which the Ukrainian government has agreed to, consists of 11 points. It outlines plans to establish an investment fund for rebuilding the country but lacks specific details about how the fund will operate, including the management structure, the powers granted to US representatives, and the nature of its ownership. The document will address mineral deposits, hydrocarbons, oil, gas, and other extracted materials, as well as infrastructure, ports, and public enterprises.
Notably, the document contains only a single sentence mentioning security guarantees for Ukraine. As Zelensky has pointed out, this is not what Kiev had hoped for. The signing of the document is anticipated on February 28.