"We Will Not Allow It": Zelensky Rejects New Mineral Draft That Would Recognize US Support As Loans
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a Friday press conference that he won't recognize past US military aid as loans, after Washington sent a new draft of the minerals deal to Kiev.
'Ukraine received a new agreement project from the U.S. regarding mineral resources, which is an entirely different document from the previous framework agreement,' said Zelensky, adding 'Ukraine will not recognize U.S. military aid as debt.'
'We are grateful for the support, but this is not a credit, and we will not allow it,' Zelensky continued.
The Ukrainian president also said that they are unwilling to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin 'or with someone who would represent Russia,' and instead said 'I think that if there are people, I think there are businesses in Russia, and they have many different regions, including serious business areas. I think that we would communicate with them if they have a vision of how to end the war'
https://twitter.com/i/status/1905681265962922252
One Ukrainian lawmaker said on Telegram that the revised mineral agreement is a 'horror' that offers no security guarantees from Washington.
Lwwmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak, a People's Deputy from Ukraine's Holos party, said he obtained a new draft of the mineral deal from the U.S., dated March 23 – which he says would grant the Untied States access to all existing and future mineral deposits across Ukraine, along with oil and gas throughout the country.
According to Zheleznyak, the new agreement contains 'not even a hint' of security guarantees – though he did note that the revised draft wasn't final, 'and I hope that the Ukrainian side will demand and achieve significant changes to it.'
'This is no longer a framework memorandum of intent, like the one discussed before the scandalous Oval Office meeting,' said Zheleznyak, adding 'This is a full-fledged, very clear agreement. And it's not in our favor.'
'It can and must be changed. Otherwise, I don't see how it could be ratified by parliament.'
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