Today in Focus The Zelenskyy-Trump deal
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May 6, 2025 Andrew Roth, Global affairs correspondent for The Guardian, unpacks the recent minerals agreement between Ukraine and the U.S., exploring its implications for Ukraine's economy during conflict. He discusses the negotiation process involving Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, highlighting the complexities of a 50% revenue split for mineral extraction. Roth also delves into the geopolitical stakes, the role of China in global markets, and the evolving U.S. foreign policy landscape, revealing how this deal could reshape market access for critical technologies.
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Mineral Deal Basics
- The minerals deal between the US and Ukraine involves splitting revenues 50-50 from natural resources under Ukraine's soil.
- These critical minerals include lithium, graphite, titanium, and rare earths key to modern electronics and manufacturing.
Ukraine's Compromise in Deal
- While Ukraine was forced into terms, the deal is probably the best it could get given their current reliance on the US.
- The deal commits Ukraine to share future mineral wealth but also secures short-term US political support.
Oval Office Meeting Breakdown
- In a tense Oval Office meeting, Trump harshly confronted Zelensky, leading to weeks of repair before relations normalized.
- The meeting seriously endangered US intelligence sharing and military aid to Ukraine.