Kyiv: There are sharp differences of opinion between the United States (US) and Western countries, especially the European Union (EU) countries, on the Ukraine issue. In particular, both sides have differing approaches regarding Ukraine’s rich natural resources, including rare earth elements.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, US President Donald Trump has proposed that, in exchange for the aid given to Ukraine during the war, half of the country’s natural resources be handed over to the United States. These proposals have placed the Ukrainian government in a difficult position and have caused some tensions between the US and the EU.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal emphasized the importance of security guarantees in talks with the US and stated that no agreement would be signed without resolving this issue. This situation not only increases Ukraine’s strategic importance but also intensifies the competition between the US and the EU.
The differences over Ukraine’s natural resources between the US and the EU have led both sides to reassess their interests and strategic positions in the region.
Ukrainian political expert Aleksandr Kovalenko, in an interview with APA, stated that the root of the rift between the US and EU is not the Ukraine issue. “The main cause of the conflict between the US and the European Union is not Ukraine. The roots of this conflict go back to Donald Trump’s first presidential term. At that time, the main issue was an attempt to force Europe to contribute more to NATO’s budget. The goal of the US was for Europe, not the US, to be the main contributor to NATO’s funding, meaning European countries should take more responsibility for their security and bear the bulk of the costs. In this context, Donald Trump, of course, did not act with political correctness or diplomacy, but aimed to force Europe to behave in a way that was beneficial to the US. The European Union, in turn, finds this rhetoric completely unacceptable.”
According to Kovalenko, Ukraine is currently trying to maintain high-level relations with the United States while also having relatively stable relations with the European Union. “We do not intend to play a balancing role between Europe and the US, as it would be an additional burden for us. We already have many issues to resolve. However, this does not mean that we will sever our ties with any side of this geopolitical confrontation. Ukraine has always tried to establish mutually beneficial, friendly, and understanding relations with all partners.”
Kyiv will primarily prioritize countries that offer long-term support in the confrontation with Russia. These are mainly European countries. The US, especially the Republicans, has shown itself to be an unreliable partner. Ukraine’s main goal is to prioritize countries that are politically stable and will not make surprises.
American journalist and expert Nurit Gringer, in a statement to APA, noted that the United States has maintained its presence in Europe since World War II to prevent the EU from repeating its habit of waging war: “The US is there to ensure that Europe does not start new wars that lead to human casualties. Europe has naturally accepted the US presence.”
In a statement to APA, Slovak advisor and foreign policy expert Marian Duris at the European Parliament noted that the conflict between the EU and the US exists on two levels. “The first level is ideological, as the individuals within the European Commission were more aligned with the previous White House administration. However, today, Donald Trump is in office, and his views contradict the commissioners’ value-based thinking. The second level is the conflict itself. The European Union has not participated in the meetings between the US and Russia. For example, a meeting is being held in Istanbul today, but without the EU’s involvement.”