France and the European Union are mobilising to secure access to Ukraine’s valuable mineral resources, despite pressure from Washington, which is pushing for mineral deals with Kyiv as a form of repayment for military aid.
As global competition intensifies for the resources powering modern technology, Ukraine’s vast mineral wealth has become a critical bargaining chip in deals concerning its security.
United States President Donald Trump has framed mineral agreements as a way for Ukraine to repay military aid it has received, turning access to these resources into a focal point of negotiations.
But Washington is not the only interested party. The race to secure Ukraine’s rare earth minerals has been in motion for several years, and France has stepped up its efforts to carve out a role for itself in Ukraine’s resource sector, seeking to strengthen its supply chains, reduce its reliance on China and the US and bolster Europe’s industrial independence.
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Supply chain vulnerabilities
Ukraine's mineral resources include lithium, which is critical for battery production, and uranium, essential for nuclear power.
As the world moves toward cleaner energy, advanced defence systems and high-tech manufacturing, such materials are increasingly valuable.
These minerals are key to driving the European Union’s green energy transition, advancing medical technology and securing defence capabilities. Reducing dependency on imports – particularly from China, which dominates the market – is a priority for the bloc.
Supply chain vulnerabilities have also been exposed in recent years, making it clear that Europe must secure alternative sources of critical resources – such as Ukraine.
A minerals deal with Kyiv could not only enhance Europe's industrial competitiveness, but also shield it from geopolitical disruptions and trade restrictions.
France’s strategy
On Thursday, French defence minister Sébastien Lecornu confirmed that negotiations with Ukraine have been ongoing for months.
Unlike the US – which has tied mineral access to military aid – France’s approach is rooted in long-term economic and defence planning. “We are not looking for payback,” Lecornu stated.
President Emmanuel Macron has long championed the idea of European strategic autonomy and reducing Europe's reliance on external powers for critical resources.
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China’s near-monopoly on rare earth extraction and processing gives it tremendous influence over supply chains worldwide. Meanwhile, the US is aggressively diversifying its sources, with Ukraine emerging as a crucial supplier in Washington’s strategy.
A minerals deal between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Trump would further cement Washington’s presence in Ukraine’s resource sector.
However, Lecornu has insisted that talks between Ukraine and France are still in their early stages, describing the negotiations as "the beginning of the story".
