Donald Trump seeks control over Ukraine's most important natural gas pipeline amid mineral-for-weapon dispute: Report | Today news

The United States has reportedly claimed control of an important natural gas pipeline in Ukraine, increasing the tension over an increasingly controversial mineral-for-weapons agreement. described the move as part of a “colonial shakedown”. The pipeline in question, built during the Soviet era, remains a critical piece of energy infrastructure connecting Russian gas supplies to Europe. According to Reuters, the latest concept of the US proposal demands that the International Development Finance Corporation, an US government agency, take control of the pipeline. Discussions that the discussions, held on Friday, were reportedly tense, Reuters reports. The latest version of the US draft agreement is ‘much more maximum’ than earlier versions. In February, the preliminary proposal of the Trump administration suggested that the Ukrainian rare nature, oil and gas of $ 500 billion would ensure. Under the revised plan now favored by Donald Trump’s team, Ukraine would surrender critical infrastructure and mineral rights without the promise of additional weapons or security guarantees. Keith Kellogg, the American special envoy to Ukraine, denied a special envoy. Kellogg wrote on X (formerly Twitter), saying: “My comments were misinterpreted. I referred to a resilience force to the ceasefire in support of the sovereignty of Ukraine-not the division.” His remarks raised alarms in Kyiv, where any distribution of the Ukrainian area is considered a red line. Trump Ally meets Putin in St. Petersburg Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on Friday. Witkoff reportedly flowed a peace plan in which Russia would retain the four Ukrainian provinces that he currently claims – including areas still controlled by Ukraine and were inhabited by about 1 million people according to the Guardian report. Allies announce on record military assistance while talks between Trump’s and Moscow raising eyebrows, Kyiv’s international partners confirmed their support. At a meeting of Ukraine defense on Friday, allies promised a record of € 21 billion ($ 22.7 billion) to extra military assistance on Friday. They also accused Putin of delaying a proposed 30 -day ceasefire, which has already accepted Ukraine. First published: 13 Apr 2025, 02:30 AM IST