GermanyTrump wants to profit economically from the war in Ukraine
SDA
4.2.2025 - 09:35
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
President Donald Trump has drawn sharp criticism from the German government with comments about the exploitation of natural resources in Ukraine in return for US military aid. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) condemned Trump's proposal to link further defense aid for the country attacked by Russia to access to valuable raw materials. It would be "very selfish, very self-centered" to use Ukraine's resources to finance foreign defence aid, Scholz said after an informal EU summit in Brussels.
Keystone-SDA
04.02.2025, 09:35
SDA
"It's about Ukraine being able to finance its reconstruction," said Scholz. These are major tasks, considering the huge destruction in the country. The country's resources should therefore be used to finance everything that is needed after the war.
"They have great rare earths"
Trump had previously demanded the right to access the country's valuable raw materials in return for extensive US aid to Ukraine. "I want security in rare earths," the Republican said in Washington. "We are investing hundreds of billions of dollars. They have great rare earths." He stated that Ukraine was "prepared to do this." Rare earths are needed for the manufacture of semiconductors and the production of smartphones and electric cars, for example. In the digitalization era, they are a strategically important asset.
The USA is Ukraine's most important supporter and weapons supplier in its defensive struggle against the aggressor Russia. However, Trump has already hinted several times that he could drastically reduce US support. The Republican has expressed optimism that he will be able to achieve a peaceful solution to the war, which has been going on for almost three years. "We have made a lot of progress with Russia and Ukraine," he said - without giving details. There are fears in Kiev that Russia could emerge victorious at the end of any peace talks.
Trump once again sharply criticized his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden and accused him of having been financially ripped off by the Ukrainians. "Biden never asked them for money. He never said: you have to pay. He just handed out money," Trump raged. In contrast, he himself is working with the Ukrainian government to conclude "some deals" in order to be compensated for US support.
Areas with valuable resources occupied by Russians
In fact, President Volodymyr Zelensky had already offered to pay for Western aid with raw materials before the US election in the fall. According to the independent Russian internet portal "Currenttime", however, some of the areas with deposits of rare earths in Ukraine are now occupied by Russian troops. The Krutaya Balka deposit near the port city of Berdyansk was mentioned by name. Another deposit has been lost due to the recent advance of Russian units near Kurakhove.
Nevertheless, the country still has around 20 explored fields with strategically important raw materials such as lithium, graphite, titanium and uranium. In view of the emergency situation Ukraine finds itself in, the country's leadership could be forced under pressure from Trump to cede these valuable resources at a price far below their value.
Zelensky announces modernization of the army
Western weapons are vital for Ukraine's survival in order to stabilize the front. However, Zelenskyi has also announced extensive changes to the command structure of the armed forces. The transition to the army corps has already been approved, he said in his evening video address: "Today we discussed the approaches for the appointment of corps commanders: It should be the best trained, most promising officers with combat experience and modern thinking."
To date, the brigade is the largest unit in the Ukrainian armed forces. Around 5,000 soldiers serve there. This formation dates back to the pre-war period, when Ukraine's military concept envisaged an army largely based on professional soldiers for limited operations. According to military experts, the structures for large-scale operations are lacking in the defense against the extensive Russian war of aggression. This repeatedly leads to confusion and delays - and therefore to losses and defeats.
For Selenskyj, the upcoming modernization of the army is one of the most important tasks. In his video message, he also once again named the strengthening of air defense as a goal - above all to protect the energy facilities that Russia is systematically destroying. The future of the country depends on whether Ukraine succeeds in developing enough of its own systems, obtaining them from partners or replicating them under license.