Ukraine can use "soft" and "hard" security guarantees to pressure Europe - Euractiv
Ukraine is ready to put pressure on Europe to provide security guarantees through the minerals agreement, given the US refusal to take responsibility for security.
This is reported by Euractiv, Censor.NET informs.
In particular, it is stated that Ukraine seeks to achieve "soft guarantees" by attracting foreign companies investing in the country to lobby their governments to protect enterprises from Russian attacks. One of the options for such guarantees could also be the acceleration of Ukraine's accession to the European Union.
"A change in the procedure could pave the way for a change that would reduce the number of vetoes in the accession process and allow for faster substantive decision-making rather than waiting for countries like Hungary to veto," said one EU official.
In addition, Kyiv is considering the option of "hard guarantees," which include building up the armed forces, joining NATO, and deploying European peacekeepers in key areas to protect important infrastructure instead of just monitoring the front line.
As noted, other possible options include the idea of creating a demilitarized zone, similar to the one that exists between South and North Korea, or the previous concept of a "no-fly zone" that was considered in the early stages of the war.
Agreement on Fossil Fuels with the United States
As a reminder, Trump has said he wants to sign a $500 billion deal with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on access to rare earth resources and natural gas in Ukraine in exchange for security guarantees in any potential peace settlement.
President Zelenskyy said that the agreement with the US on minerals would be signed at the ministerial level when ready and subject to guarantees. Currently, this document is not ready to protect Ukraine's interest.
Later, Trump said that Ukraine had derailed the rare earth metals deal. The agreement was needed so that the United States could recover the money spent on supporting Ukraine.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has handed over to Ukraine an "improved" draft of the minerals agreement that "complies with Ukrainian law."
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that if the United States wants to see specific numbers in the minerals agreement, then according to Ukrainian law, ratification by the Verkhovna Rada will be required.
On February 25, the Financial Times reports that Ukraine and the United States have agreed on the terms of the minerals agreement, and Kyiv is ready to sign the document.
On February 26, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the signing of the agreement on mineral resources with the United States.
