Mr. Zelensky refused to transfer mineral exploitation rights to the US.
President Zelensky is said to have stopped transferring to the US ownership of 50% of Ukraine's untapped mineral resources.
According to RIA Novosti, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has refused to transfer to the United States ownership of 50% of Ukraine's untapped mineral resources, the Washington Post reported on February 14, citing members of parliament.
"Some lawmakers in Munich said that a US congressional delegation gave Mr. Zelensky a piece of paper they wanted him to sign, which included giving the US rights to 50% of Ukraine's mineral reserves in the future. Mr. Zelensky politely refused to sign," Washington Post journalist X said on social media.
Earlier on February 14, European Pravda reported that the meeting between the Ukrainian leader and US Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference had been postponed. The reason was said to be due to Ukraine's decision to amend the draft memorandum of understanding. According to the publication, after the document was handed over, the US side requested more time to process it.
However, Vice President Vance later met with President Zelensky. According to RBC-Ukraine, the two sides discussed a draft agreement on rare earth metals.
This week, US President Donald Trump said that Kiev should repay Washington for the $300-350 billion it has invested in supporting it. According to Trump, Ukraine would be able to do this by providing the US with access to rare earth minerals and metals.
For his part, President Zelensky expressed his readiness to facilitate US investment in mining and participate in joint development of mineral resources with Kiev.