Dar es Salaam, Feb. 16 -- WASHINGTON DC, U.S.A – The US could send troops to guard Ukraines rare earth minerals, which it wants as repayment for American aid, NBC reported on Saturday, citing unnamed officials.

The report followed recent statements made by US President Donald Trump, who demanded the “equivalent of $500 billion worth of rare earths” from Ukraine in exchange for what he estimated to be “more than $300 billion” Washington had provided in aid since the escalation of Kievs conflict with Moscow in 2022.

Trumps demand was presented to Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a contract proposal he brought to their meeting in Kiev earlier this week. According to mul...