Egypt Daily News – The Wall Street Journal quoted U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance as saying, “We will impose sanctions and may respond with military action if Putin refuses a peace deal that guarantees Ukraine’s independence.”
The newspaper also reported that the vice president confirmed, “Deploying our troops to Ukraine is an option if Moscow fails to negotiate in good faith.”
Throughout the past week, discussions about settling the Ukraine war have intensified. On Wednesday, former President Donald Trump announced an upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia to discuss ways to end the war. This announcement came just days after Trump spoke about the “price” Ukraine should pay to the United States.
Following the announcement of the anticipated Trump-Putin meeting, Trump stated: “It is unlikely that Ukraine will regain all of its territory, and I don’t think it’s practical for it to join NATO. I have not committed to going to Ukraine, and Ukraine must seek peace above all else.”
Less than a week ago, Trump stated at the White House that he wants Ukraine to provide the U.S. with rare earth minerals as a form of payment for financial support in its war efforts against Russia. “Ukraine is willing to do so, and I want a settlement in exchange for nearly $300 billion in aid provided by Washington,” he said.
Trump added, “We tell Ukraine that it has very valuable rare earth elements, and we are looking to strike a deal where they can compensate us with these resources and other things for the support we provide.”
On Tuesday evening, Trump renewed pressure on Ukraine, suggesting that he does not rule out the possibility of Ukraine becoming “Russian” one day. In an interview with Fox News, he said, “I told Kyiv that I want $500 billion worth of rare earth minerals. Ukrainian officials possess land of immense value in terms of rare earth minerals, oil, gas, and other resources.”
Trump further stated, “They may make a deal, or they may not. They may become Russian one day, or they may not. But we will get all this money back, and I say again, I want it returned.”
