Tensions between Kyiv and Washington have reached new heights as Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky reportedly lashed out at US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent over demands that Ukraine hand over half of its critical minerals as compensation for American aid in the conflict with Russia. According to the Financial Times (FT), the incident occurred during a closed-door meeting on February 12, marking a significant turning point in the relationship between Ukraine and its key Western backer.

During the meeting in Kyiv, Zelensky reportedly became visibly frustrated when Bessent pressed for an immediate agreement on the resource deal. The FT cited an anonymous source who claimed that “the gravelly voice shouting from inside was unmistakable,” indicating that the Ukrainian president had lost his temper. The source further described Zelensky as “very angry” at the demand that Ukraine hand over 50% of its critical mineral resources to the United States in exchange for continued support.

Bessent, who had traveled to Kiev to push for the deal, reportedly left the meeting in a “flustered” state, with his hands “trembling.” However, sources close to the US Treasury Secretary later downplayed this characterization, telling the Daily Mail that while there was definite tension, Bessent was not as shaken as reports suggested.

The crux of the disagreement lies in Washington’s insistence that Ukraine must repay what it perceives as $500 billion in military and economic aid through natural resource concessions. Ukrainian officials have pushed back on this figure, arguing that the US has provided closer to $100 billion and that much of it has come in the form of grants rather than loans.

Zelensky has been particularly resistant to signing an agreement that could burden future generations of Ukrainians. “I am not signing something that will be paid by ten generations of Ukrainians,” he reportedly told US officials, signaling his deep concerns about Ukraine’s sovereignty and economic future.

The proposed deal is seen as a way for Washington to secure access to Ukraine’s vast reserves of critical minerals, including lithium, rare earth elements, and other strategic resources essential for modern industries, particularly in defense and technology. Such a deal would further solidify US influence over Ukraine’s economy, raising concerns among some Ukrainian officials about long-term dependency and loss of control over national assets.

The fallout from this meeting has only added to the already growing strains between the Biden administration, the Trump camp, and Kyiv. President Donald Trump, the Republican frontrunner for the 2024 election, publicly criticized Zelensky’s behavior toward Bessent, accusing him of being disrespectful.

“Essentially, they told him ‘no’ on the resource deal, and he was treated rather rudely,” Trump stated in a follow-up to the diplomatic clash. Trump also mocked Zelensky, claiming that when Bessent arrived in Kyiv, the Ukrainian president was initially unavailable because he was “sleeping.”

Trump’s critique escalated further when he referred to Zelensky as a “dictator without elections,” alluding to the Ukrainian leader’s refusal to hold presidential elections after his term ended in the spring of 2024. Zelensky has cited martial law and security concerns as reasons for postponing elections, but critics argue that his prolonged hold on power undermines Ukraine’s democratic credibility.

The question of Zelensky’s legitimacy has become a contentious issue, not only in Ukraine but also internationally. While Western allies continue to support Ukraine’s war effort against Russia, some have expressed concerns about the democratic backsliding under Zelensky’s rule.

Moscow has seized on this controversy, with Russian officials insisting that Zelensky is no longer a legitimate leader. The Kremlin argues that true legal authority in Ukraine now rests with the Ukrainian parliament rather than the presidency. Russian President Vladimir Putin has gone further, stating that Moscow has no interest in Ukraine’s potential mineral deal with the US but is open to rare-earth partnerships with American companies under different circumstances.

The dispute over Ukraine’s critical minerals is just one aspect of a broader concern regarding the country’s economic future. With infrastructure destroyed and its economy heavily dependent on Western financial assistance, Ukraine is in a precarious position. The insistence by Washington-particularly from the Trump camp-that Ukraine must begin offering tangible returns for the aid it has received underscores a shift in US-Ukraine relations.

Western support for Ukraine has often been framed as a strategic necessity in countering Russian aggression, but as the war drags on, economic interests are beginning to take center stage. Washington’s demand for mineral rights suggests that US policymakers are increasingly looking at Ukraine not just as a battleground but as an economic asset that can be leveraged for long-term American benefit.

For Zelensky, this presents a difficult balancing act. While he cannot afford to alienate Washington-the lifeline of Ukraine’s defense-he also faces growing domestic pressure to resist foreign exploitation of Ukraine’s resources. Handing over half of Ukraine’s critical minerals to the US could spark backlash among Ukrainians already weary of war and economic hardship.

With the US presidential election looming, Ukraine’s future remains uncertain. If Trump returns to the White House, his administration’s approach to Ukraine is expected to be markedly different from Biden’s, focusing on transactional relations rather than open-ended military and financial support. The fact that his top officials are already pressing Ukraine for economic concessions suggests that future aid could come with even more strings attached.

On the other hand, if Zelensky continues to resist Washington’s demands, he risks alienating one of Ukraine’s most crucial allies at a time when Russian forces continue to press forward on the battlefield.

Ultimately, this standoff over critical resources may be a preview of the hard choices Ukraine will face in the post-war period-choices that will define its sovereignty, economy, and international standing for decades to come.

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