The United States is in preliminary talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo to secure access to critical minerals while concurrently seeking a similar arrangement with Ukraine. The DRC offers valuable mineral reserves but faces internal conflict, complicating negotiations. Ukrainian President Zelensky has hesitated to sign any deal that does not adequately protect national interests. Both agreements highlight U.S. intentions to enhance its mineral resource access and counter foreign influence.
The United States is engaging in preliminary discussions with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to finalize an agreement on critical minerals. Additionally, a similar partnership is being sought with Ukraine. The DRC is rich in vital resources such as copper, cobalt, and uranium, and recently proposed an exchange of minerals for governmental support under President Felix Tshisekedi.
The DRC is currently experiencing turmoil due to rebel insurgencies, particularly in mineral-rich regions and its two major cities, Goma and Bukavu. Despite the potential deal, which has gained traction, several challenges remain as the negotiations are still in their infancy.
A spokesperson from the U.S. State Department remarked, “The DR Congo is home to a significant portion of the world’s reserves of critical minerals needed for advanced technologies. The United States is open to discussing partnerships in this sector.” They further emphasized that collaboration with American businesses would enhance both economies and hinted at countering China’s influence in the DRC’s mining landscape.
The draft agreement with Ukraine was initially introduced by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on February 12. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declined to sign the agreement, citing a lack of provisions for protecting Ukraine’s interests, including investments and security guarantees. Prior statements from former President Trump claimed Ukraine had tentatively agreed to transfer substantial rare earth metals to the U.S. in return for military assistance.
Following a tense exchange between Trump and Zelensky on February 28, U.S. officials maintained discussions regarding the agreement and urged Zelensky’s aides for clarification. On March 4, Zelensky acknowledged the situation’s complexity, indicating potential readiness to finalize an agreement regarding Ukrainian mineral usage to enhance security measures and ensure guarantees.
In conclusion, the United States is pursuing critical mineral agreements with both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ukraine, reflecting its strategic interests in global resource acquisition. The DRC’s vast mineral wealth, coupled with the ongoing political challenges, necessitates careful negotiation. The unfolding partnership with Ukraine also offers potential benefits but needs to reconcile issues surrounding national interests and guarantees.
Original Source: babel.ua
