Ukraine Initiates Consultations with the US on Rare Earth Elements Agreement

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha’s AnnouncementUkrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has announced the initiation of consultations with the United States regarding the rare earth elements agreement. This development marks a significant step in forging strategic partnerships between the two nations.Meeting with Lithuanian CounterpartSybiha recently met with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budris, who was visiting Kiev. Following their discussions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ministers addressed the media in a joint press conference.Expressing gratitude for Lithuania’s support, Sybiha stated, “We are pleased to welcome Minister Budris in Ukraine and appreciate Lithuania’s unwavering support.”Ceasefire Negotiations and Energy Infrastructure AttacksDuring their meeting, Sybiha briefed Budris on the ceasefire negotiations held in Saudi Arabia. He highlighted the agreement to halt attacks on energy infrastructures, a commitment that Russia continues to disregard.Sybiha expressed concern, noting that despite the agreement, Russia persists in targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. “Damage has been inflicted on energy facilities in Kherson, Kharkiv, and Poltava regions,” he stated. “This morning, a power plant in Kherson was attacked, leaving 45,000 people without electricity.”Ukraine’s Security and International AlliancesEmphasizing the importance of international alliances, Sybiha remarked that Ukraine’s potential membership in the European Union (EU) and NATO could serve as crucial security guarantees. He underscored the need for a unified stance against territorial aggression.Progress on the Rare Earth Elements AgreementIn his address, Sybiha also discussed the rare earth elements agreement, a strategic initiative between Ukraine and the US. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs received a new draft of the agreement from the US on March 28, and efforts are underway to craft a mutually agreeable document.”We are committed to harmonizing the agreement with our national legal framework,” Sybiha affirmed. “Consultations with the US are in progress to refine the draft.”

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