Bangladesh, Feb. 4 -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has strongly criticized former US President Donald Trumps recent suggestion that Washington should demand access to Ukraines rare-earth resources in exchange for continued military and economic assistance. Labeling the proposal as “very selfish,” Scholz insisted that Ukraines natural wealth should be preserved for its post-war recovery rather than being leveraged as collateral for Western aid.

Speaking on February 3, Trump argued that, given the extensive aid the US has provided to Ukraine-amounting to tens of billions of dollars-it would be reasonable to secure access to Ukraines rare-earth minerals in return. The former president emphasized that the US has contributed more...