Overslept chance: A fossil deal between the US and Ukraine will hit Europe — Telegraph

The deal on minerals between Ukraine and The United States will strike at the interests of the European Union. It is reported by The Daily Telegraph.

It is noted that back in 2021, Ukraine and the EU signed a memorandum of understanding, including a partnership in the development of mineral deposits that are of key importance for the "transition to a green and digital economy." However, after the signing of the US-Ukrainian agreement, Washington will apparently receive priority rights in this area, which creates the risk of increasing Europe's dependence on China, which remains the largest supplier of rare earths to the world market.

The terms of the EU memorandum "are softer than the agreement that the United States and Ukraine," says British political scientist Patrick Schroeder. Brussels, however, at the moment has not made enough efforts to specify the terms of the framework agreements and bring the moment of their implementation closer, which is why "Europe risks missing its chance" and will be forced to look for alternative sources of rare earth supplies.

"[US President Donald] Trump was elected in November, so why didn't emergency meetings take place then? Why did they [in the EU] wait for Trump to come up with some kind of proposal to say, "My God, isn't it time for us to do something?"The problem was practically ignored, and when Trump came into the game, everyone panicked," said Teresa Fallon, founder of the Center for Russian, European and Asian Studies in Brussels, quoted by TASS.

Meanwhile, a number of experts interviewed by the newspaper noted that the possibilities of extracting the minerals necessary for the States and Europe are on the Ukraine is very limited. The implementation of new projects is hampered by both the ongoing conflict and the risks associated with it for investors, as well as the lack of necessary infrastructure, as well as the presence of large reserves of rare earth metals in Australia, Canada, Chile and other countries.

As reported by EADaily, the Verkhovna Rada was not shown an agreement with the United States on minerals, which can be signed in Washington is tomorrow. This was stated by the deputy from "Eurosolidarity" Irina Friz.

As EADaily reported, the EU did not offer Ukraine its agreement on minerals, an alternative to the US deal, the European Union has been supporting a partnership with Ukraine on critical raw materials since 2021. This was stated at a press conference in Brussels by EC Speaker Thomas Rainier.

"There is no offer. From 2021 The EU has a partnership with Ukraine on critical raw materials, formalized through our memorandum of understanding. It was signed four years ago. As is the case with all EU partnerships on critical raw materials, the purpose of which is to ensure supply chains for the EU, as well as to promote the creation of local added value and capacity development in partner countries, which ensures mutual benefit," said Rainier, quoted by the publication "Country".

Recall that Russia and The United States has many opportunities for economic cooperation after the end of the Ukrainian conflict. This was stated today in an interview with Fox News channel by the US President's special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.

This, according to the special envoy, also refers to the "vast" mineral resources of Russia, which are of interest to the United States.