Why did Trump ask Ukraine to hand over critical gas pipeline linking Russia and Europe?

The Donald Trump administration has asked Volodymyr Zelenskyy to hand over a critical natural gas pipeline to the US. 

The pipeline is a key infrastructure transporting Russian gas supplies to Europe. It runs from western Russia's Sudzha to Ukraine's Uzhorod near the Slovakian border.

Since January 1, the pipeline stopped operating after a five-year contract between Russia's Gazprom and Ukraine came to an end. The expiry of the deal has also suspended transit fees for the natural gas that was shared by Ukraine and Russia.

Now, a US proposal draft demands that the control of the pipeline should be given to a US federal agency called International Development Finance Corporation, reported Reuters.

This move would give the US access to Ukrainian mineral deposits, including rare earth elements. If Zelenskyy inks the agreement, Ukraine will be required to deposit all revenues generated from these resources in a joint investment fund.

However, this deal does not provide any US security guarantees for Ukraine against external actors like Russia. Trump is seeking the control of pipeline as well as rare earth minerals as "payback" for the military and financial aid supplied by the Joe Biden administration.

It is not clear whether Zelenskyy will agree to a "50:50" split of revenue as demanded by Trump's team. Last week, the Ukrainian president said the deal should be beneficial for both the US and Ukraine.

Following the Oval Office showdown between Zelenskyy and Trump in February, the US paused military aid for Ukraine. During the disastrous meeting at the White House, Trump cancelled the signing ceremony and called off a joint press conference with Zelenskyy. The US president also turned down the Ukrainian leader's request for a one-on-one meeting. Zelenskyy and his team was later asked to exit the White House.

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