Trump expresses interest in acquiring Ukrainian rare earth in exchange for US aid
Photo: Donald Trump, President of the United States (Getty Images)
The United States may continue its assistance to Ukraine in exchange for access to Ukrainian rare earth metals. Washington is also working on security guarantees for Ukraine, said US President Donald Trump, according to the Voice of America's correspondent Kateryna Lisunova.
Trump stated that the US is currently in talks with Ukraine and Russia, working on agreements to secure guarantees. He mentioned that Ukraine possesses highly valuable rare earth metals.
Trump stated that Europe is lagging in supporting Ukraine, despite the fact that the US is separated from Ukraine by an ocean, while Europe is not. He emphasized that Europe should at least pay an equal amount to the US.
“So we're looking to do a deal with Ukraine where they're going to secure what we're giving them with their rare earth and other things,” Trump added.
Additionally, Trump signed an executive order appointing Keith Kellogg as Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia.
"We made a lot of progress on Russia-Ukraine," the President emphasized.
What are rare earth metals
The rare earth metals are a group of 17 metals that occur in nature in very small quantities.
They are used in the production of electronics (smartphones, TVs, computers), in the aerospace industry (to create strong and lightweight alloys), and in medicine (in MRI, lasers, and some medicines).
China controls most of the rare earth metal production.
Ukraine's rare earth metals
Ukraine holds significant reserves of rare natural resources, including graphite, uranium, titanium, and lithium.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized that these resources are of strategic value, capable of strengthening either Ukraine and the democratic world or Russia and its allies.
As part of the victory plan, one of the points Ukraine proposed to the United States and other Western allies to conclude an agreement to protect these critical resources, jointly invest, and use economic potential.
According to the Financial Times, this specific proposal was largely designed to capture Donald Trump's interest.
