The United States is negotiating mineral agreements with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ukraine. The DRC seeks American support amid rebel turmoil, proposing a deal for mineral exchange. In Ukraine, discussions involve a draft agreement hindered by concerns of state interests. Both initiatives emphasize U.S. interests in resource access and geopolitical influence against China.
The United States is currently engaged in preliminary negotiations with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to establish an agreement concerning access to essential minerals. The U.S. intends to pursue a similar arrangement with Ukraine. The DRC is known for its rich deposits of copper, cobalt, and uranium, and has recently proposed a deal offering minerals in exchange for support of President Felix Tshisekedi’s government.
Local officials in the DRC seek to enhance backing for the Tshisekedi administration, especially as the nation grapples with turmoil characterized by significant territorial losses to Rwanda-backed rebels in the mineral-rich regions, including the major cities of Goma and Bukavu. Although discussions have advanced in recent days, several obstacles still need to be addressed, indicating that talks are in their early stages.
A spokesperson from the U.S. State Department commented, “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.” The spokesperson further emphasized that collaboration with American firms could bolster both the U.S. and DRC economies. This initiative also aims to mitigate the dominance of China in DRC’s mining sector.
In terms of the potential agreement with Ukraine, the draft was initially introduced by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on February 12, with hopes for an immediate signing. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed reservations, fearing it did not adequately protect Ukraine’s interests regarding investments and security guarantees. This reluctance is amidst previous statements from former President Donald Trump regarding Ukraine’s acknowledgment to transfer a substantial amount of rare earth metals in exchange for military aid.
Following a contentious meeting between Trump and Zelensky late last month, U.S. officials have been in continuous discussions with Ukraine, seeking public apologies from Zelensky towards Trump. On March 4, Zelensky acknowledged that the Trump meeting did not proceed as expected and indicated that Ukraine is prepared to finalize a minerals agreement “at any time and in any convenient format,” viewing it as pivotal for enhancing security and assurance.
The United States is exploring critical minerals agreements with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ukraine, aiming to secure valuable resources while counteracting Chinese influence in the region. Both nations face unique challenges—DRC with internal strife and Ukrainian officials navigating complex negotiations. The developments highlight the strategic importance of mineral resources in global politics and security agreements, reflecting America’s broader geopolitical interests. These early-stage discussions underscore a commitment to fostering economic collaboration while supporting political stability within the partner nations.
Original Source: babel.ua
