Trump to Discuss Ukraine Ceasefire This Week... Rare Earth Cooperation

White House: "Recouping Ukraine Costs... Principle of European Leadership"

U.S. President Donald Trump will discuss the issue of ending the war in Ukraine this week. Taking advantage of the Munich Security Conference held in Germany from the 14th to the 16th, officials from the second Trump administration are expected to sit at the table with key parties, including Ukraine, to further specify discussions on ending the war.

Mike Waltz, White House National Security Advisor, appeared on NBC's "Meet the Press" on the 9th (local time) and stated, "The president is ready to put all issues on the discussion table, from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to Ukraine."

He explained, "We need to recoup the costs (of U.S. support to Ukraine)," adding, "This will involve cooperation with Ukraine in terms of rare earth elements, natural resources, oil and gas, and Ukraine purchasing our resources."

It is expected that discussions on ending the war will include a plan where the U.S. secures access to Ukraine's key minerals such as rare earth elements in exchange for providing security guarantees to Ukraine. President Trump aims to conclude a deal worth $500 million for rare earth elements and other resources in return for security guarantees to Ukraine.

Advisor Waltz emphasized, "These conversations will take place this week, and the basic principle is that Europe should lead the resolution of this conflict," adding, "President Trump wants to end this (war). In terms of security guarantees, it will be precisely Europe that accomplishes this."

He also explained that regarding President Trump's disclosure of a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an interview with the New York Post released on the 8th, "Clearly, many sensitive conversations are underway." In the interview conducted on the presidential aircraft Air Force One on the 7th, Trump stated, "I spoke with President Putin," and "I have a concrete plan to end the war."

Advisor Waltz said, "This week, we will discuss specific details on how to end this war with the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Vice President, and European envoy," adding, "This means bringing both sides to the negotiation table."

This is believed to refer to the Munich Security Conference held from the 14th to the 16th. Keith Kellogg, the U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, and U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance are expected to attend, drawing attention to whether the U.S. will announce a concrete plan to end the war in Ukraine. Vice President Vance will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Munich Security Conference to discuss ways to end the war.

Advisor Waltz said, "We need to bring all parties to one table to end this war," adding, "This issue has been raised in conversations with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and leaders from the Middle East, and all are prepared to assist President Trump." He emphasized, "Let's bring all parties to one table and negotiate."

Earlier, Bloomberg News reported on the 5th that the U.S. had established a ceasefire plan that allows Russia to continue holding Ukrainian territory it occupies while guaranteeing security to Ukraine.