President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine is open to mining rare earths in partnership with allies, during a press briefing. This follows comments by U.S. President Donald Trump about Washington’s interest in Ukrainian rare earths in exchange for aid.
Zelensky emphasised the importance of developing mineral resources with partners who support Ukraine militarily and economically. He noted that this collaboration is crucial to push back against Russian influence and prevent other adversarial nations, such as Iran or North Korea, from gaining control of these resources.
Ukraine is home to 20 critical minerals and metals essential for industries like aerospace and electric vehicle manufacturing, including titanium and lithium. With the global shift towards renewable energy, demand for rare earth elements, such as cerium, yttrium, lanthanum, and neodymium, has surged.
Trump’s interest in Ukraine’s minerals is likely driven by China’s current dominance in the rare earth market. Zelensky’s comments also reflect concerns about the future of U.S. aid under President Trump, who has criticised previous administrations’ support for Kyiv.
The U.S. remains the largest supporter of Ukraine’s defence, providing over $91 billion in aid since 2022.
As the global demand for rare earth minerals continues to rise, Ukraine’s mineral resources are likely to play an increasingly central role in geopolitics, making partnerships like the one suggested by Zelensky a key part of the country’s strategic future.
