US media: Trump administration proposes Ukraine to repay aid with 50% rare earth minerals

On February 15, Jinshi Data reported that, according to NBC News, four U.S. officials said that the Trump administration has advised Ukraine that if a protocol is reached with Russia to end the conflict, the U.S. would obtain 50% ownership of Ukraine's rare earth mines and is willing to deploy U.S. troops in Ukraine. Two officials said that the ownership protocol would be a way for Ukraine to repay the U.S. for the billions of dollars of weapons and support provided to Ukraine since February 2022, rather than the U.S. paying for these mineral resources. According to eight U.S. officials briefed on the meeting, U.S. Treasury Secretary Benson submitted a draft contract during a meeting with Zelensky in Kyiv on Wednesday, proposing that the U.S. own half of Ukraine's rare earth mines. Zelensky refused to sign the draft, saying he needed to study the document and consult with others. Zelensky said in a speech on Friday that his lawyer would provide advice and some modifications to the document submitted by Benson, which is a memorandum between the U.S. and Ukraine, not a security protocol.