Ukrainian soldiers say they want F-35 fighter jets in exchange for giving the U.S. access to the country’s rare earth minerals.
The remarks came in interviews with Euromaiden Press, against the background of negotiations between Washington and Kyiv.
Newsweek reached out to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine for comment via email.
Peter Byrne/Associated Press
Why It Matters
The Ukrainian soldiers’ skepticism regarding U.S.-Ukraine relations comes days after verbal sparring between their leader, President Volodymyr Zelensky, and President Donald Trump before they agreed to pursue a minerals deal.
Such an agreement could repair relations between Washington and Kyiv and give Ukraine a better position in peace negotiations with Russia.
What To Know
Ukrainian soldiers expressed concerns about what Kyiv will receive in exchange for the highly valuable minerals, which are so vital to new tech industries.
Ivan, a soldier in Ukraine’s National Guard, told Euromaiden Press: “If Trump needs our minerals, let him take them if he provides us with F-35s. That would be enough to reclaim Donbas, hypothetically.”
The F-35, made by Lockheed Martin, is one of the world’s most advanced fighter jets, with enhanced command and control, surveillance, and reconnaissance functions. So far, the U.S. has supplied F-16 fighter jets, also produced by Lockheed Martin, delivered to Ukraine in August 2024, as an upgrade to Kyiv’s Soviet-era air force.
Volodymyr, an instructor in electronic warfare with Ukraine’s Armed Forces, told Euromaiden Press: “Tell Trump and [U.S. national security advisor Michael] Waltz that it’s not Ukraine that owes something to the U.S, but the U.S. owes Ukraine for not fulfilling the agreements of the Budapest Memorandum.” This is a reference to the 1994 agreement between the U.S, Russia, and Ukraine that Kyiv would transfer its nuclear weapons to Moscow in exchange for security assurances and sovereignty.
Other soldiers were also skeptical of the U.S.’ commitment to a just peace deal with Russia backed by security guarantees.
The Ukrainian troops’ statements come after President Donald Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to meet on Friday to discuss the particulars of the rare earths deal.
Trump said that he expects Zelensky to sign the deal later this week, while Zelensky said that a framework economic deal between the U.S. and Ukraine had been reached, with further discussions taking place on Friday.
Zelensky rejected an earlier rare earth mineral proposal by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during his visit to Kyiv earlier this month, partly on the basis that it did not include security guarantees.
What People Are Saying
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Zelensky wrote: “There has been a lot of international work. Our teams are working with the United States as we prepare for negotiations this Friday. Peace and security guarantees are the key to ensuring that Russia can no longer destroy the lives of other nations. I will meet with @POTUS. For me and for all of us in the world, it’s important that U.S. support is not stopped. Strength is needed on the path to peace. I am grateful to all the partners who continue to support us, and to all our people who believe in Ukraine.”
During his first Cabinet meeting at the White House on February 26, speaking of the rare earths deal, Trump said: “President Zelensky is going to be coming on Friday, that’s now confirmed, and we’re going to be signing an agreement which will be a very big agreement. I want to thank Howard [Lutnick] and Scott [Bessent] for the job you guys did in putting it together, really did an amazing job, and that’ll be on rare earth and other things. As you know, we’re in for probably $350 billion, Europe is in for $100 billion, that’s a big difference.”
What Happens Next
A Ukrainian official told the Associated Press that the rare earths deal could be finalized on Friday, with Zelensky traveling to Washington to meet with Trump.
