At a press conference on February 23, Ukrainian President Zelensky stated that Ukraine will not sign any mineral agreements with the United States that could lead to "ten generations of Ukrainians paying the bill." This comment was in response to recent remarks by US President Trump, who suggested that the US should recoup the billions of dollars it has invested in Ukraine. Zelensky clarified that the approximately $100 billion in aid provided by the US is a "grant" and not a debt Ukraine needs to repay.
On the same day, Zelensky revealed that Ukraine has begun auditing its underground mineral resources, a move that is part of the preparations for signing a mineral memorandum with the US. Additionally, Zelensky announced plans to hold talks with Trump but did not disclose a specific time.
Andriy Yermak, Chief of the Ukrainian President's Office, stated that important discussions regarding a mineral agreement have already taken place with US officials, and in-depth negotiations will continue in the coming days. Yermak disclosed that Ukrainian representatives would visit the US to discuss the use of Ukraine's mineral resources and other security matters.
Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Swiridzenko, further pointed out that occupied territories in Ukraine hold mineral resources valued at $350 billion.
On the international front, the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council are scheduled to hold an emergency meeting on February 24 to discuss the situation in Ukraine. Meanwhile, leaders across Europe are actively promoting cooperation and negotiations on Ukrainian security. French President Macron held talks with several European leaders, pledging to promote a fair and peaceful resolution and emphasized that Ukraine must have a central role in any negotiations to end the conflict.
Furthermore, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that on the 23rd, Russian forces destroyed several Ukrainian military targets using air force, artillery, and attack drones. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military claimed to have successfully repelled Russian attacks in the Pokrovsk and Kursk directions and announced preparations to deploy new long-range strike weapons.
