Trump demands Ukraine's rare earth minerals in exchange for aid
What's the story
In a controversial move, United States President Donald Trump has offered Ukraine continued US military aid in exchange for access to the country's rare earth minerals.
The proposal comes as tensions continue to escalate in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict.
"We're looking to do a deal with Ukraine where they're going to secure what we're giving them with their rare earths and other things," Trump said.
Strategic negotiation
Ukraine's 'victory plan' and US's demand for 'equalisation'
The concept of such an agreement was first proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in October as part of his "victory plan" to end the war with Russia.
He stressed that the US has given nearly $300 billion in support and is now looking for "equalization" from Ukraine.
"We're putting in hundreds of billions of dollars. They have great rare earth. And I want security of the rare earth, and they're willing to do it," he said.
International response
German Chancellor criticizes Trump's demand
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has slammed Trump's demand for rare earth metals from Ukraine, saying these resources should be utilized for Ukraine's post-war reconstruction instead.
Scholz's criticism comes after a brief halt in US weapon shipments to Ukraine as the Trump administration re-evaluated its policy toward Kyiv.
The shipments resumed over the weekend after initial thoughts to cease all aid were withdrawn.
Battlefield update
Russian forces advance into Ukrainian territory
On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces are struggling with manpower shortages and supply routes being targeted by Russian drones in Pokrovsk.
In January alone, Russian forces advanced 430 square kilometers into Ukrainian territory. This advancement marks a slowdown compared to previous months.
The United Nations has also reported an increase in executions of captured Ukrainian soldiers by Russian forces since August last year.