Berlin (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz slammed Donald Trump’s demands for Ukrainian rare minerals in exchange for U.S. military assistance, labelling them “selfish and self-serving” in an interview.
In an interview with Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND) published on February 8 2025, Scholz expressed that with Ukraine under invasion by Russia, Germany is supportive of the nation without demands of being compensated later.
“That should be everyone’s attitude,”
He said.
The German chancellor had already characterised Trump’s expectations as “very selfish”.
He had expressed Ukraine’s resources should go towards everything required after the war, such as redevelopment and holding a strong army.
“It would be very selfish, very self-serving”
to demand something from Ukraine in exchange for aid, he said.
What did Trump propose in exchange for US aid to Ukraine?
Donald Trump recently stated he wanted “equalisation” from Kyiv for Washington’s financial backing, noting:
“We’re telling Ukraine they have very valuable rare earths. We’re looking to do a deal with Ukraine where they’re going to secure what we’re giving them with their rare earths and other things.”
He further stated:
“I want to have security of rare earth. We’re putting in hundreds of billions of dollars. They have great rare earth. And I want security of the rare earth, and they’re willing to do it.”
How is Zelensky responding to Trump’s proposal?
On the other hand, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the USA and Ukraine were preparing “meetings and talks” after Trump presented a possible engagement with him next week. Zelensky stated that Ukraine was willing to acquire investment from US companies in its rare earth elements – or metals widely utilised in electronics.
In a peace plan revealed in October, Zelensky had, without directly addressing rare minerals, offered a “special agreement” with his country’s allies, permitting for “common protection” and “joint exploitation” of strategic resources. He had mentioned as examples “uranium, titanium, lithium, graphite and other strategic resources of great value.”
