Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to work together with U.S. President Donald Trump to share Ukraine’s valuable minerals. He’s offering access to Ukraine’s rare earth elements and critical minerals in return for ongoing financial and military support from the U.S.
Why Are Ukraine’s Rare Earths Important?
Ukraine has a lot of special minerals that are used to make things like strong magnets and electric motors. Zelenskyy pointed out that Russia holds less than 20% of Ukraine’s valuable mineral resources, including a significant portion of its rare earth materials. He warned that Russia could share these with countries like North Korea and Iran, which could be a problem for the U.S. and its friends.
Besides rare earths, Ukraine has Europe’s largest titanium reserves, essential for airplanes and space technology. Most of these titanium resources are not in conflict zones, making them safer to access.
Trump’s Interest in the Deal
Trump’s team is looking for ways to secure minerals to rely less on China. Zelenskyy is happy to make a deal but insists that Ukraine will not just give away its resources. He suggests a partnership where both sides benefit. “The Americans have helped, so they should also earn from this,” Zelenskyy said.
Russia’s Growing Threats
As fighting continues in eastern Ukraine, Zelenskyy pointed to a well-defended area in central Ukraine rich in minerals. He mentioned that when Ukraine became independent in 1991, Russia took detailed maps of these resources with them.
LNG Storage Talks
Zelenskyy also talked about using Ukraine’s large underground gas storage for U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG). “The Trump administration is interested in this. We’re ready to supply LNG to Ukraine and become a key hub for Europe,” he said.
Zelenskyy Wants a Meeting with Trump
Zelenskyy is eager to meet Trump directly before any talks between the U.S. and Russia. With a security conference coming up soon, he wants to ensure Ukraine’s interests are not ignored during peace talks.
As fighting ramps up, with Ukraine launching new offensives, Zelenskyy is adjusting foreign policy to align with Trump’s approach. The focus remains on securing stronger U.S. commitments for military aid and economic stability in Ukraine.
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