Trump envoy Kellogg brings Ukraine rare earth deal closer
President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Russia and Ukraine, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, recently concluded a whirlwind two-day visit to Ukraine. During his visit, Kellogg made significant progress towards finalizing a rare-minerals agreement with the country, which has been under attack by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to a well-placed source, the minerals deal is nearly complete, with the Ukrainian side making suggestions to the agreement text and sending it back to the American side for review. The agreement would grant the United States access to Ukraine’s natural resources in exchange for the billions of dollars in support provided by the US against Russia’s invasion of the Eastern European country.
President Trump has expressed optimism about the progress of the mineral deal, stating that it is “pretty close” to being finalized. However, the White House has emphasized that the agreement does not guarantee future aid for Ukraine’s war with Russia.
The conflict in Ukraine is seen as a test case for free democratic nations to uphold the rule-based global order. Kellogg, who visited wounded Ukrainian troops and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, praised Zelenskyy as a “courageous leader.” However, Trump recently criticized Zelenskyy, calling him a “dictator without elections.”
Despite the progress in negotiations for the minerals deal, concerns have been raised about the agreement’s feasibility. Rebekah Koffler, a former Defence Intelligence Agency officer, pointed out that a significant portion of the mineral deposits are located in Donbas, Eastern Ukraine, which is currently under Russian control. This poses a challenge as Russian forces are moving to secure the region containing Europe’s largest lithium deposits.
The conflict in Ukraine has resulted in a staggering death toll, with nearly one million dead and wounded based on estimates from September. Kellogg, during his visit to wounded Ukrainian troops, emphasized the importance of diplomacy in ending wars and expressed his respect for the sacrifices made by Ukrainian soldiers.
Kellogg also visited the Irpin Bridge, a significant site where Ukrainian soldiers thwarted Russia’s advance by blowing up the bridge during the initial invasion in 2022. He paid tribute to the soldiers who fought against Russian imperialism and praised their courage and determination in defending their country.
As negotiations for the minerals deal continue, the situation in Ukraine remains precarious. The outcome of the agreement will have far-reaching implications for the country’s future and its ongoing struggle against Russian aggression. The efforts of Kellogg and other diplomats to secure a peaceful resolution to the conflict are crucial in ensuring stability and security in the region.
