United States Pursues Mineral Agreements with Congo and Ukraine

The United States is negotiating mineral agreements with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ukraine to access critical resources. The DRC has proposed a deal linking minerals to support for President Tshisekedi amid unrest, while negotiations with Ukraine have faced scrutiny from President Zelensky over security concerns. Both countries are now showing readiness to engage in such agreements.

The United States is engaged in preliminary negotiations with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to secure access to critical minerals, with an eye toward finalizing a similar deal with Ukraine. The DRC harbors extensive reserves of copper, cobalt, and uranium, and recently proposed a minerals-for-support arrangement with the U.S. to bolster the government of President Felix Tshisekedi amid ongoing civil unrest from rebel factions backed by Rwanda.

These discussions have intensified recently, although several challenges persist, and negotiations remain in the early stages. A spokesperson from the U.S. State Department highlighted the significance of the DRC’s mineral reserves for advanced technologies and expressed openness to partnerships that could enhance both nations’ economies while simultaneously reducing Chinese influence over the DRC’s mining sector, where Chinese companies dominate.

In parallel, the U.S. is pursuing a minerals agreement with Ukraine, first introduced by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on February 12. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously refrained from endorsing the proposal due to concerns regarding a lack of protection for Ukraine’s interests, particularly regarding investments and security guarantees.

Despite initial hesitations, Zelensky later expressed readiness to sign an agreement concerning the utilization of Ukrainian minerals, emphasizing this as a crucial step for improved security and the establishment of reliable guarantees. Following tensions between Trump and Zelensky, discussions around the deal have continued, with U.S. officials pushing for a public reconciliation from Zelensky.

In summary, the United States is actively pursuing mineral agreements with both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ukraine to enhance access to critical minerals essential for technological advancement. These efforts reflect U.S. strategic interests in countering Chinese influence while promoting economic partnerships with these nations. While negotiations face challenges, both the DRC and Ukraine have indicated a willingness to engage in agreements that could significantly impact their resources and international relations.

Original Source: babel.ua