WASHINGTON—White House national security adviser Mike Waltz on Feb. 20 criticized Ukraine for missing a “historic opportunity” by not signing a deal with the United States to tap into mineral reserves that could have benefitted both nations.
“Our own Secretary of Treasury personally made the trip to offer Ukrainians what can only be described as a historic opportunity that is for America to co-invest with Ukraine in their minerals, in their resources, to truly grow the pie,” Waltz told reporters during a White House press briefing.
Waltz cited an example to respond to speculation that Ukraine lacks significant mineral reserves or resources.
He pointed to a Ukrainian aluminum processing foundry that had been damaged.
“It’s not at its current capacity. If that is restored, it would account for America’s entire imports of aluminum for an entire year,” Waltz said. “There are tremendous resources there.”
Waltz’s remarks followed a heated exchange between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Feb. 19, in which Trump labeled Zelenskyy a dictator.
Zelenskyy earlier accused Trump of being influenced by disinformation and undermining efforts to diplomatically isolate Russia.
Waltz said Zelenskyy’s “insults” directed at Trump were “unacceptable.”
Ukraine has reportedly rejected a bid by the Trump administration to own 50 percent of the country’s rare earth minerals.
Trump accused Zelenskyy of breaking the deal, ramping up his criticism during a press gaggle on Air Force One on Feb. 19.
He claimed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent visited Ukraine but was “treated rather rudely” as Zelenskyy was unavailable to sign the agreement.
“He went there to get a document signed and ... he came back empty,” Trump said.
Trump also vowed to investigate the money spent on Ukraine and asserted that he could negotiate a deal with Russia to end the war.
“We can make a deal with Russia to stop the killing,” he added.
During the press briefing, Waltz also responded to speculation that Trump and his administration might have been manipulated by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“If there’s anybody in this world that can go toe to toe with Putin, that could go toe to toe with Xi [Jinping], that could go toe to toe with Kim Jong Un—and we could keep going down the list—it’s Donald J. Trump,” he said.
Waltz also said it’s time for European allies to increase their defense spending and share the burden of Ukraine’s war costs.
“It is unacceptable that the United States and the United States taxpayer continue to bear the burden, not only of the cost of the war in Ukraine but of the defense of Europe,” he said.
“We fully support our NATO allies. We fully support the Article Five commitment, but it’s time for our European allies to step up.”
