Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky shows Reuters journalists a map of strategic resources during an interview in Kyiv (Reuters)

Friday’s Coverage: Putin Admits “Very Difficult” Situation In Russia’s Kursk Region

Map: Institute for the Study of War

UPDATE 0808 GMT:

Air defenses downed 67 of 139 drones fired by Russia overnight on 13 Ukrainian regions, while 71 were lost to electronic counter-measures.

A private house was set on fire in the Sumy region in northern Ukraine. No casualties were reported.

UPDATE 0746 GMT:

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky says North Korean troops have returned to the frontline in Russia’s Kursk region, after they were withdrawn last month.

“There have been new assaults in the Kursk operation areas….The Russian army and North Korean soldiers have been brought in again,” Zelensky said in his nightly video address to the nation on Friday.

A “significant number” of opposing troops had been “destroyed”, he explained. “We are talking about hundreds of Russian and North Korean soldiers.”

South Korean and Ukrainian officials said earlier this week that North Korean troops had not been seen on the frontline for three weeks in Kursk, part of which has been held by Ukraine since last August.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that he is ready for a deal with Donald Trump, trading rare earth minerals for security guarantees and American aid against Russia’s 35 1/2-month invasion.

Zelensky said in an interview with Reuters, “If we are talking about a deal, then let’s do a deal, we are only for it.”

He pointed out “some of the largest strategic resource reserves in Europe” on a map: “Protecting Ukraine also means protecting these resources. Resources that can either strengthen our state and our partners—or Russia and its allies.”

Ukraine’s reserves of rare minerals include uranium, titanium, manganese, and lithium. They are estimated to be worth up to $300 trillion.

Zelensky emphasized that less than 20% of the mineral resources, including about half of the rare earth deposits, are under Russian occupation.

The new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, are reportedly meeting Ukrainian officials at the Munich Security Conference later this month. A trip to Kyiv may follow.

Zelensky wrote:

Trump told reporters in Washington on Monday, “We’re telling Ukraine they have very valuable rare earths. We’re looking to do a deal with Ukraine where they’re going to secure what we’re giving them with their rare earths and other things.”

He said Kyiv was willing to accept as he reiterated the demand for “equalization” for Washington’s “close to $300 billion” of support.

See also Ukraine War, Day 1,077: Trump Wants Rare Earth Minerals In Return for Aid

The New York Times reported in December that Ukrainian authorities postponed signing an agreement with the US on extracting rare earth minerals, letting Trump take credit for the deal after his return to the White House on January 20.

“A person close to Zelensky” said Trump’s remarks “seem to align with the ‘Victory Plan’ presented to him in the fall” by the Ukrainian President in New York.

Zelensky emphasized to Reuters that a meeting with Trump was essential before any Trump discussion with Vladimir Putin: “It is very important, otherwise it will look like a dialogue about Ukraine without Ukraine. It is still important for partners to discuss their issues first, and then have a conversation with the enemy.”

He added another incentive for Trump: the buying and storing of liquefied natural gas from the US.

“It is very interesting for us, I know it’s very interesting for the Trump administration,” he said. “We are ready and willing to have contracts for LNG supplies to Ukraine. And of course, we will be a hub for the whole of Europe.”