Trump wants U.S. troops to guard Ukraine's minerals - NBC --Washington reportedly indicated it wants to control 50% of the country's rare earths wealth as reimbursement for aid | 16 Feb 2025 | The U.S. could send troops to Ukraine to "guard" the country's rare earth minerals that Washington wants as repayment for aid, NBC reported on Saturday, citing unnamed officials. The report follows US President Donald Trump's demand of the "equivalent of $500 billion worth of rare earths" from Ukraine in exchange for what he estimated to be "more than $300 billion" Washington has provided to Kiev since the escalation of the conflict with Russia in 2022. Trump's demand was presented to Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Kiev earlier this week. According to multiple reports, under the deal, the U.S. is to be granted 50% ownership of Ukraine's rare earth minerals as reimbursement for continued military aid. [Why are my tax dollars funding U.S. troops to guard Ukraine's minerals just because warmongering psychopath Lindsey Graham told Trump they exist?]