After President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Russia and Ukraine, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, concluded his two-day visit to Ukraine, significant progress is being made towards a minerals agreement between the country currently under Russian attack and the United States. Fox News reported that a source indicated the minerals deal is “nearly done,” and that Ukraine has made suggestions to the agreement text that were then sent back to the American side for review. Trump is in pursuit of accessing Ukraine’s natural resources in exchange for extensive financial support the U.S. has provided Ukraine against Russia’s ongoing invasion. The President explicitly stated on Friday that the mineral deal is “pretty close.”

Kellogg visited wounded Ukrainian troops and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, terming him a “courageous leader.” On the other hand, Trump had earlier in the week vehemently called Zelenskyy a “Dictator without Elections.” In a meeting with Fox News Radio, Trump clarified that he acknowledges Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Rebekah Koffler, the author of “Putin’s Playbook” and host of the “Trump’s Playbook” podcast, said the potential for a successful outcome in Trump’s pursuit of rare earth minerals is uncertain. She highlighted the complexities introduced by the current battlefield dynamics favoring Russia and the multiplicity of players in diplomatic negotiations.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, to annek the country forcibly, resulting in Russian forces committing war crimes against Ukrainian citizens. Koffler warned that the mineral deposits Kelleogg seeks are located in the Donbas region of Eastern Ukraine, currently controlled by Russia.

During his visit, Kellogg paid tribute to the resilience and sacrifices of the Ukrainian people and soldiers. He visited the Irpin Military Hospital where Ukrainian troops recovering from severe injuries were receiving prosthetics and other treatments.

The International community has been trying to bring an end to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which has led to a staggering toll of nearly one million killed and wounded.

Zelenskyy indirectly expressed concerns that negotiations might only lead to a temporary peace, possibly as short as five years, which could then give way to another phase of conflict.

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/world/trump-envoy-visits-injured-ukrainian-soldiers-deliver-message-gets-asked-simple-question