NATO's boundary at Poland: U.S. denies Ukrainian guarantees

In an interview with CNBC, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent ruled out the possibility of providing Ukraine with U.S. security guarantees. He emphasized that NATO and U.S. military presence starts at the Polish border. He noted that Ukraine should accept that security guarantees will come from Europe.

During the conversation, Bessent criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for his relentless efforts to gain American support.

Bessent remarked that the speaker seemed stuck in a repetitive cycle, constantly emphasizing the phrase "security guarantee." He also noted that European leaders back the proposal to deploy European troops to Ukraine without U.S. participation.

Bessent also referred to the partnership agreement to exploit Ukraine's natural resources, emphasizing that it is not a "predatory" move.

The U.S. Treasury Secretary clarified that the agreement should not be mistaken for a predatory Chinese deal. She emphasized that it does not grant any rights to the minerals or similar concessions, describing it as a purely economic development arrangement.

He emphasized the goal of supporting Ukraine in achieving economic prosperity, highlighting that when the Iron Curtain fell, Poland and Ukraine had economies of comparable size. However, Poland's economy has grown three and a half to four times larger. He also pointed out that Ukrainian oligarchs, who often control significant wealth, are unlikely to support this agreement. The priority, he stressed, is ensuring that financial benefits reach the Ukrainian people.

The initial versions of the agreement envisioned creating a fund controlled by the U.S., which would receive 50% of the revenues from Ukrainian natural resources until it reached $680 billion CAD. Later reports indicate that the fund will be jointly managed, with resources designated for rebuilding and developing Ukraine's economy.