Russian President Vladimir Putin has inadvertently strengthened NATO, according to U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. He remarked that Putin has united the alliance more than its member states have managed to do themselves. As European NATO members express concerns about exclusion from peace talks, NATO Chief Mark Rutte urged these countries to contribute proactively to discussions on Ukraine's future. Meanwhile, NATO is set to establish new defense spending targets during a summit in The Hague, Netherlands, in June.
Senator Graham, a vocal supporter of a potential minerals agreement with Ukraine, suggested that the U.S. be granted 50% ownership of Ukraine's rare earth minerals. This proposal comes with the U.S.'s openness to deploying American troops to safeguard these resources if a deal with Russia ends the ongoing war. Graham has hailed this potential agreement as a "game-changer" for Ukraine and a "nightmare" for Putin.
"If I were nominating somebody to be the NATO Man of the Year, it'd be Putin" – Lindsey Graham
Graham also noted that Putin's actions have significantly benefited NATO. The inclusion of Sweden and Finland as new members, coupled with increased defense spending discussions, exemplifies this unintended consequence.
"He's done more to help NATO than we have. We have two new members [Sweden and Finland]. We're talking about spending more, not less. So he's made a serious miscalculation" – Lindsey Graham
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has shown interest in an agreement concerning Ukraine's valuable mineral deposits. This aligns with Graham's view that the minerals deal could transform Ukraine into an asset rather than a burden for the United States.
"This minerals agreement between the United States and Ukraine is a game changer, because President Trump can go to the American people [and] say 'Ukraine is not a burden, it's a benefit.' They're sitting on top of trillion dollars worth of minerals that all of us can benefit from by lining with the West" – Lindsey Graham
The Trump administration's unexpected announcement of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia left European NATO members surprised and worried about being sidelined in negotiations. Graham criticized this move as a "serious miscalculation" and encouraged European allies to support the minerals agreement.
"So you better be pulling for this minerals agreement" – Lindsey Graham
Rutte also emphasized the importance of constructive engagement from European nations rather than complaints about their role in peace talks.
"Get into the debate, not by complaining …. but by coming up with concrete ideas." – Mark Rutte
Graham highlighted that the minerals agreement could be a mechanism for Ukraine to repay Washington for its substantial military aid during the conflict.
"I told President Trump, it may be the old Soviet Union, it may be the Russian Empire, but I do know he's going after the money. Don't let him steal what Ukraine has to enrich himself, because that's like defunding the police. So if this minerals agreement happens it's a nightmare for Putin, because we have something to defend that we didn't have before" – Lindsey Graham