The United States is in preliminary talks to secure mineral agreements with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ukraine. The DRC, rich in copper, cobalt, and uranium, seeks U.S. support amid internal conflict. Meanwhile, Ukraine has hesitated to sign a minerals deal due to concerns over investment and security guarantees. U.S. officials continue to advocate for these partnerships, aiming to strengthen economic ties and counter Chinese influence.
The United States is currently engaged in preliminary discussions with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to establish an agreement concerning access to essential minerals. Concurrently, the U.S. is pursuing a similar arrangement with Ukraine. The DRC boasts substantial reserves of copper, cobalt, and uranium and recently reached out to the U.S. proposing a minerals-for-support agreement for President Felix Tshisekedi’s government.
Amidst internal conflict, local officials in the DRC are advocating for bolstered support for President Tshisekedi as their nation grapples with turmoil; rebel forces, reportedly backed by Rwanda, have taken control of mineral-rich areas as well as key cities such as Goma and Bukavu. While discussions have intensified recently, significant hurdles remain, placing these negotiations at a nascent stage.
A representative from the U.S. State Department expressed, “The DR Congo is home to a significant portion of the world’s reserves of critical minerals needed for advanced technologies. The United States is open to discussing partnerships in this sector.” This partnership is anticipated to enhance economic collaboration between the U.S. and the DRC, highlighting America’s pursuit of global resource access and potentially countering Chinese dominance in the DRC’s mining operations.
Regarding Ukraine, the U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent initially presented a draft minerals agreement to Ukraine on February 12, aiming for an immediate signature. However, President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated he would not sign it, citing concerns over investment, profit sharing, and security guarantees. Previously, former President Trump had mentioned that Ukraine had effectively agreed to transfer rare earth metals valued at around half a trillion dollars as remuneration for U.S. military support.
Following a tense encounter between Trump and Zelensky during a White House meeting on February 28, U.S. officials continued dialogue with Ukraine regarding the deal. They encouraged Zelensky’s advisers to facilitate a public apology from the president to Trump. On March 4, Zelensky admitted that the meeting did not proceed as anticipated and remarked that Ukraine is prepared to sign the minerals agreement “at any time and in any convenient format,” viewing this as a pivotal step towards enhanced security and reliable guarantees.
In conclusion, the United States is actively seeking to form strategic agreements with both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ukraine concerning access to critical minerals. These negotiations reflect the U.S.’s interest in enhancing economic ties while countering foreign influence, particularly from China. As discussions proceed, both nations express readiness to reach agreements that may significantly impact their respective economies and security frameworks.
Original Source: babel.ua
