Scholz rebukes Trump's proposal for Ukraine resource deal
The Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, strongly commented on Donald Trump's recent statements, in which Trump suggested that Ukraine should provide the U.S. with valuable resources in exchange for continued military assistance and weapon supplies.
- We're looking to do a deal with Ukraine where they're going to secure what we're giving them with their rare earth and other things - said Donald Trump during a conversation with journalists in the Oval Office.
These metals are essential for the production of smartphones, electric vehicles, and other products from the high-tech industry. According to the plan, Kyiv would supply the U.S. with these valuable resources in return for continued American assistance in the conflict with Russia. Trump stressed that Ukraine is ready to do this.
The U.S. President also criticized his predecessor, accusing Joe Biden of failing to ask Ukraine to repay, stating that Biden was just giving away money.
Scholz criticizes Trump
Trump's proposal was addressed by the Chancellor of Germany. At the conclusion of the summit in Brussels, Olaf Scholz stated that forcing Ukraine to use its resources to fund U.S. support was "very selfish and very self-centered".
"It's about Ukraine having a strong army in the future and it's about Ukraine being able to finance its reconstruction. In view of the huge destruction, these are major tasks facing Ukraine. That's why I think it would be better if Ukraine's resources were used for a good future," Scholz noted, as quoted by the German daily "Tagesschau".
