[By Guancha Observer Network, Ruan Jiaqi]

After a month of haggling, the negotiations between the United States and Ukraine over the mineral cooperation agreement have returned to square one, with Washington recently even putting forward a new proposal with even more stringent conditions. Among the European countries, Germany has spoken up.

According to reports by Reuters and others, on Tuesday (March 1), at a joint press conference held in Kyiv, Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated that any mineral agreement between Ukraine and the United States must comply with EU laws.

In her view, Ukraine has already reached an agreement with the EU on rare earth metals, so any new agreements should also comply with EU laws, especially given Ukraine's application for EU membership.

Baerbock emphasized that Europe's role in supporting Ukraine and future peace agreements is "crucial," and this is also true in any mineral agreement currently being negotiated between Kyiv and Washington.

In discussing potential agreements, she cryptically stated, "After all, it's our continent... we are naturally in dialogue with all stakeholders."

On April 1st, local time, German Foreign Minister Baerbock arrived in Kyiv. Video screenshot.

Additionally, according to reports by Ukraine's RBK News Network, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Shefiriga also made remarks at the press conference that day, stating that the agreement with the United States regarding rare earth metals should not contradict Ukraine's process of joining the EU. He emphasized that this is one of Ukraine's key positions.

He said at the meeting, "This agreement we have begun negotiating cannot in any way contradict our path toward European integration and EU membership."

Shefiriga also mentioned that Ukraine has begun consultations with the United States on the new mining agreement, and that the Ukrainian side is committed to reaching an agreement acceptable to both parties.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had also expressed that Ukraine will not accept any mineral rights agreement that threatens its integration with the EU. However, he also noted that it is still premature to make a final judgment on the revised draft.

German media reported that this is Baerbock's ninth visit to Ukraine since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and her first visit to Ukraine under the Trump administration. Trump's attitude towards Russia posed a threat to transatlantic relations, prompting Europe to strengthen its own defense capabilities and increase support for Ukraine.

Baerbock said that given the "deadlock" in negotiations between the U.S. and Russia, it is particularly important to unconditionally support Ukraine at this time, "We Europeans must show that we stand with Ukraine... and support this country more firmly than ever before."

Following this, Baerbock began criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of attempting to disrupt ceasefire negotiations by imposing additional conditions.

"Putin is stalling, he does not want peace, he continues to violate international law and launch an 'aggressive' war. While pretending to be willing to negotiate, he refuses to make the slightest concession," she added, "We must not be deceived by Putin and his supporters. Simply proposing peace plans does not equal peace itself."

At the meeting, Baerbock also gave advice to the U.S., urging the Trump administration not to be misled by Putin's "delay tactics," and revealing that NATO allies are expected to clearly express this concern at the foreign ministers' meeting later this week. It is known that the NATO foreign ministers' meeting is scheduled for April 3rd and 4th in Brussels.

AFP mentioned that this may also be Baerbock's last visit to Ukraine as Germany's foreign minister. The Scholz government was dissolved on March 25th and will continue to fulfill its duties until a new government completes the coalition formation.

According to a statement from the German Foreign Ministry, Baerbock also gave Ukraine reassurance at the meeting, emphasizing that the new German government will continue to strongly support Kyiv.

"Germany will not abandon the Ukrainian people." She announced that Germany will allocate an additional 130 million euros to Ukraine as humanitarian aid and stabilization funds. In March, the German Federal Parliament's Budget Committee had just approved a military assistance plan worth more than 11 billion euros for Ukraine.

This article is an exclusive contribution from the Guancha Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7488631678966989339/

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