Zelensky rejected the offer to give 50 percent of minerals to the United States

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he has rejected a US offer to own half of Ukraine's rare mineral resources, such as lithium and titanium.

 According to the BBC, Ukrainian President Zelensky held a press conference on Wednesday about the US-Russia meeting.  He said there, we want security assurance this year.  Because we want to end the war this year.

 "I am protecting Ukraine," Zelensky said about the offer to give 50 percent of minerals to the United States.  I can't sell it.  I cannot sell my country.

 He said he rejected the first draft of the proposal because it called for Ukraine to give up 50 percent of its assets and contained no security guarantees.  He said, despite differences between Kiev and the United States, the war in Ukraine has cost about 320 billion US dollars.

 Zelensky also said that about 120 billion US dollars came from Ukrainian taxpayers.  And two hundred billion dollars came from the United States and Europeans.  The United States provided $67 billion in arms in addition to budget support.

 Earlier, Donald Trump said that the United States has asked for $500 billion in rare mineral resources in exchange for continued support.  Zelensky said the US claims it has provided 90 percent of Ukraine's aid, "but the truth is different."  However, he thanked the United States for supporting Ukraine.

 Meanwhile, Ukraine's air force claimed to have shot down 106 of Russia's 167 drones in overnight strikes.  The attacks took place in Odesa, Kyiv, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia and Cherkasy regions.  However, no details were given.