In a dramatic policy reversal, Washington President Donald Trump has asked Ukraine pay back the US trillions of dollars worth of war aid issued in the Biden era, floats deal involving rare earths and oil. His comments, at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) close to Washington, reflect Safely increasing strains kindled by allies.
Trying to get the money back, just trying to secure it at least. “We put up an enormous amount and we have to have something back, few rare earth, oil, whatever we want,” Trump told the CPAC. “We are getting very close to a deal and we should be because this was a lousy situation.”
Two years into Russia’s invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky still holds back. A source said near Kyiv that Ukraine would not accept the current terms without security guarantees in the midst of a war with Russia. “Looking at the form the draft is in today, the president is not ready to sign,” the source said. 
Trump has apparently asked for $500 billion worth of mineral resources – a sum greater than the estimated $60 billion in direct US military aid handed out to Ukraine. Kyiv has rejected the amount as excessive and unreasonable.
The diplomatic crisis comes as Russia advances in eastern Ukraine. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated Britain’s “ironclad commitment” to Ukraine, highlighting apparent differences in Western policy in the war-torn nation.
