THE GUARDIAN: US president also says he wants a return on US aid given to Ukraine such as rare minerals, in interview with Fox News
US president Donald Trump has floated the idea that Ukraine “may be Russian someday”, as his vice-president JD Vance gears up to meet Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy later this week.
Pushing for an end to the nearly three-year war with Russia, Trump discussed the conflict in an interview with broadcaster Fox News that aired on Monday.
“They may make a deal, they may not make a deal. They may be Russian someday, or they may not be Russian someday,” he said.
Trump also emphasised reaping a return on investment with US aid to Ukraine, suggesting a trade for Kyiv’s natural resources, such as rare minerals.
“We are going to have all this money in there, and I say I want it back. And I told them that I want the equivalent, like $500bn worth of rare earth,” Trump said. “And they have essentially agreed to do that, so at least we don’t feel stupid.” » | Agence France-Presse | Tuesday, February 11, 2025
