Filenews 27 February 2025 - by Gaurav Sharma
U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking a deal with Ukraine to exploit its mineral wealth, linking the deal to Washington's continued military and economic support for Kiev. He said he expected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington to sign the deal later this week, signalling a new approach to U.S. strategy in the region.
Ukraine has significant reserves of critical minerals, including lithium, titanium, graphite and rare earths, essential for technological development and energy transition. According to Economic Development and Trade Minister Yulia Sviridenko, the country holds 5% of the world's critical minerals, with large quantities found in territories seized by Russia following the 2022 invasion.
The importance of minerals and Russia's intervention
The strategic importance of Ukrainian minerals is made even more evident by the global demand for raw materials for electronic devices, wind turbines and aerospace applications. Trump, known for his aggressive policy of securing natural resources — as seen in his bid to buy Greenland in 2019 — has brought back to the table a proposal Zelensky had discussed during his election campaign, offering Ukrainian minerals as part of a "victory plan" to ensure continued U.S. support.
However, Russia reacted. Vladimir Putin said Moscow is ready to provide the US with the same minerals in larger quantities, thereby undermining the Ukrainian proposal.
The terms of the agreement and the US stance
According to reports, the Trump administration has backed down from initial demands for $500 billion in revenues from Ukrainian minerals, but has not offered clear security guarantees to Ukraine. Although Ukrainian officials described the talks as "positive," negotiations have been complicated by Russia's intervention.
Trump's move reshapes U.S. strategy in Ukraine, turning support into a more cost-effective deal for Washington, as he promised on the campaign trail.
