Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is scheduled to travel to Kyiv this week for talks with Ukrainian officials regarding the country's critical mineral deposits. This comes as President Donald Trump has expressed interest in gaining access to these minerals in exchange for continued US aid to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated that he plans to meet with representatives from the Trump administration in Ukraine before heading to the Munich Security Conference. While the specifics of the meetings have not been disclosed, Zelensky has emphasized that any cooperation must be mutually beneficial.
In a recent interview, President Trump mentioned his desire for Ukraine to provide rare earth minerals equivalent to $500 billion. Zelensky, however, has made it clear that Ukraine's resources will not be handed over for free, highlighting the importance of strategic partnerships.
Despite this stance, Zelensky has previously shown a willingness to allow the US access to Ukraine's natural resources, including critical minerals such as graphite, lithium, titanium, beryllium, and uranium.
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has suggested that leveraging Ukraine's mineral deposits could help the US recover the costs of supporting the country during the conflict. He emphasized the potential for a partnership that involves both countries' natural resources.
As discussions unfold this week, the focus remains on finding a mutually beneficial arrangement that respects Ukraine's sovereignty while addressing the strategic interests of both nations.
