US slammed for ‘colonial-type’ demands over control of crucial Ukrainian pipeline

The United States has requested control of a pipeline in Ukraine that was once used to transport Russian gas to Europe.

American and Ukrainian officials met on Friday as part of ongoing negotiations over a minerals agreement, with Donald Trump demanding that Kyiv repay the U.S. for the military aid provided since the start of the war.

According to Reuters, talks between the two sides have deteriorated, with the latest draft of the agreement — dating back to February — stating that Washington should gain access to $500 billion worth of rare metal resources.

Citing a source familiar with the negotiations, the news agency reported that the U.S. now also wants to take control of the pipeline.

Since January 1, the transit of Russian gas through the pipeline has been halted after Ukraine refused to extend the contract initially negotiated before the conflict began.

Volodymyr Landa, an economist at the Center for Economic Strategy, a Kyiv-based think tank, said the Americans are "trying to grab everything they can." He added that their “colonial-style demands” are unlikely to be accepted by Kyiv.

Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he hoped to reach a deal that would be fair and beneficial to both countries.

(QG - Source: The Guardian - Picture : © Unsplash)