Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected US demands for access to Ukraine’s vast rare earth mineral reserves, a deal that former President Donald Trump argued should reflect the aid the US has provided during Ukraine’s war with Russia.
US Push for Critical Minerals
The White House has been eager to secure access to Ukraine’s deposits of titanium, uranium, lithium, and other rare earth elements, which are critical for aerospace, medicine, and high-tech industries. The US is actively looking to reduce its reliance on China for these strategic resources.
Ukraine is one of the world’s top five nations in terms of natural resource value, with 117 out of 120 key minerals found within its borders. Nearly 50% of Ukraine’s rare earth deposits are located in the war-torn eastern region.
Zelensky’s Firm Response
Despite US pressure, Zelensky dismissed the offer, stating:
“I can’t sell our state.”
White House national security adviser Mike Waltz called the proposed agreement “an incredible and historic opportunity,” claiming it was “the best security guarantee Ukraine could hope for.” With Ukraine at the center of both a geopolitical war and a global resource scramble, the country’s rare earth minerals could play a crucial role in its post-war recovery and future negotiations.
