**Trump Wants Ukraine to Give Rare Earths in Exchange for Aid**
US President Donald Trump wants Ukraine to give the US rare earth materials as a condition for aid. This was reported by news agency AFP on February 3.
Trump said that he is looking for a deal with Ukraine where they will use their rare earths and other things to secure what the US gives them. He added that he wants security for these rare earths because the US is putting in hundreds of billions of dollars.
**Part of Zelensky’s “Victory Plan”**
A source in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office told the Kyiv Independent that sharing Ukrainian resources with allies was part of their “victory plan”. This plan was shown to foreign leaders, including Trump. The source said that for this to happen, Ukrainian security must be guaranteed so that Russia cannot take control of Ukraine’s land with minerals.
**US Aid to Ukraine**
The US has given Ukraine $65.9 billion in aid since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. However, not all US aid programs are unaffected by the freeze. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) programs have lost funding as a result of steps taken by the new US administration.
**Ukraine Seeks Alternative Funding**
Ukraine is now seeking alternative funding from European countries to replace the US aid provided through USAID. This includes humanitarian and development assistance, as well as budget support. The Ukrainian parliament has started consultations with European counterparts on this matter.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
