The Ukrainian government has recently finalized a draft agreement to provide the United States with access to its reserves of rare earth metals, as reported by Ukrainian media sources. This agreement was a topic of discussion between Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump during their meeting. Additionally, the agreement was also addressed during the visit of US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to Kyiv this week.
In a recent interview with Fox News, President Trump mentioned that he had requested the equivalent of $500 billion worth of rare earth metals from Ukraine, to which the Ukrainians have reportedly agreed. However, President Zelensky emphasized that these minerals would not be handed over for free, stating that Ukraine values mutually beneficial strategic cooperation with its allies.
President Zelensky has previously expressed a willingness to allow the US access to Ukraine's natural resources, including critical minerals such as graphite, lithium, titanium, beryllium, and uranium. While Ukraine remains open to partnerships, it is clear that the country prioritizes ensuring that any agreements are advantageous for both parties involved.
