Russia Trump wants to link US aid for Ukraine to raw materials

SDA

3.2.2025 - 21:28

US President Donald Trump speaks before signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Photo: Evan Vucci/AP/dpa
US President Donald Trump speaks before signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Photo: Evan Vucci/AP/dpa
Keystone

In return for extensive US aid to Ukraine, President Donald Trump is demanding access rights to the country's valuable raw materials. "I want security in rare earths," the Republican declared in Washington. "We are investing hundreds of billions of dollars. They have great rare earths." He stated that Ukraine was "ready to do this."

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In this context, Trump once again sharply criticized his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden. "Biden never asked them for money. He never said: you have to pay. He just handed out money," said Trump. In contrast, he is working with the Ukrainian government to conclude "some deals" in order to secure guarantees for US support.

At the same time, Trump once again accused the European Union of not doing enough to support Ukraine. "Europe can't keep up with us. They should match us," he said. "It's more important to them than it is to us, but they are far inferior to us financially. They should pay at least as much."

Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia's war of aggression for almost three years and is dependent on Western military aid. Under Biden, the USA was Ukraine's most important supporter and largest arms supplier. Trump had already repeatedly questioned the aid during the election campaign.