Escalating Tension Between Washington and Moscow Over Ukraine's Future
Russia's hardline position and its rejection of the ceasefire plan and insistence on Zelensky's resignation reveal increasing complexities in the settlement path and Moscow's adherence to its field ga
March 31, 2025, 10:41 pm

Escalating Tension Between Washington and Moscow Over Ukraine's Future

The office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's advisor, Serhiy Leshchenko, revealed on Monday that the proposed agreement with the United States regarding the exploitation of rare mineral resources contradicts the conditions for Ukraine's integration into the European Union and its constitution, but indicated it could be accepted after modifications.

These statements come amid a notable escalation in American pressure on Kyiv to conclude an agreement that allows Washington to benefit from Ukrainian mineral wealth.

During a live television interview on "Rada" channel, Leshchenko explained: "The agreement may seem unacceptable to us. The government and the Ministry of Justice are working within its framework, but everything that contradicts the constitution and contradicts European integration can be transformed into a normal project for Ukraine."

The Ukrainian official hinted at the need to consider that the agreement proposed by US President Donald Trump's administration regarding subsurface resources "will remain for a long time," necessitating careful study of its implications.

Trump had previously warned while speaking to journalists aboard the presidential plane that Zelensky would face "big problems" if he backed away from concluding an agreement allowing the United States to exploit Ukrainian minerals.

The American president's threats came in the context of escalating tension, as he criticized both sides of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, expressing his frustration with the continued stalling of efforts to resume ceasefire talks.

Initially, Trump expressed his extreme anger at Russian President Vladimir Putin, threatening to impose new tariffs on Russian oil in response to Putin's questioning of the Ukrainian president's future as a leader.

NBC presenter Kristen Welker explained on "Meet the Press" that Trump warned in a phone conversation with her, saying: "If Russia and I cannot reach an agreement to stop the bloodbath in Ukraine, and if I see that it was Russia's fault, I will impose secondary tariffs on oil coming out of Russia."

While Trump began by criticizing Putin, he quickly softened his tone toward him to pour his anger on Zelensky, warning him of facing problems if he backed away from concluding an agreement giving the United States mining rights in Ukraine.

Since taking office, the US president has sought to achieve a quick end to the war that has been ongoing for more than three years in Ukraine, but his administration has not yet succeeded in achieving a breakthrough.

Putin rejected a joint US-Ukrainian plan for a 30-day ceasefire and suggested on Friday that Zelensky should step down as part of the peace process, reflecting a harder stance in Moscow's negotiating position and angering Kyiv.

Trump told NBC that Putin knows he is angry, while indicating at the same time that "he has a very good relationship with him," explaining that "anger dissipates quickly... if he does the right thing."

Improved relations between Washington and Moscow since Trump took office, and his threat to stop supporting Kyiv, have strengthened Russia's position on the battlefield as it continues its faltering invasion of Ukraine.

Kyiv accuses Moscow of prolonging talks without a genuine intention to stop the war, especially as it launched a new attack over the weekend on the city of Kharkiv, located on the northeastern border.

Ukrainian areas were targeted by six strikes Saturday night into Sunday, resulting in one person being injured while being treated at a military hospital and at least two people killed in a residential building, according to Ukrainian officials.

Moscow announced on Sunday that its forces had taken control of a village just seven kilometers from the border of the Dnipropetrovsk region in central Ukraine, as part of its recent advance, noting that Russian forces had not crossed the borders of this region since the beginning of its attack in 2022.

Le Pen Convicted of Embezzlement... French Judiciary Deals Blow to Right-Wing Leader Cities of the Lord: A Novelistic Testimony to the Syrian Tragedy

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.