President Trump has been talking with Ukrainian and Russian leaders in an attempt to broker peace between the two nations. Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago, prompting a war that’s continued ever since. Part of Trump’s plan? Gaining access to Ukraine’s rich mineral deposits.
As the Trump Administration works on its plans for ending the Russia-Ukraine war, it’s also pressing Ukraine to sign a new deal, demanding access to mineral resources in exchange for continued U.S. aid.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky says the deal could be a “big success,” but he sees the current version of the agreement as only a framework. In a press conference today, Zelensky said he would like to see more security guarantees for Ukraine before signing the deal. He also added that he plans to discuss these guarantees further in his upcoming meeting with President Trump on Friday.
Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, estimates that the country has around 5% of the world’s “critical raw materials,” including rare earth metals that can produce weapons, electronics and other important products. Ukraine also has a significant supply of graphite and titanium, among other minerals. In exchange for aid and security, Ukraine would provide the U.S. with a right to mine these materials, which have been eyed by allies throughout the three-year war.
So, what are these materials, and why does the U.S. want access to them?
Aaron Celestian, the curator of mineral sciences at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, says these minerals are desirable to the U.S.
“Lithium is an incredibly critical material for new batteries, all kinds of other devices, and Ukraine has a ready supply of it, unlike the United States.”
According to the BBC, Ukraine is home to a third of all the lithium deposits in Europe.
Celestian also explained how graphite is an important resource because it’s used for technology devices and steel manufacturing. The Ukrainian Geological Survey state agency says Ukraine is “one of the top five leading countries” for graphite supplies.
Celestian added that titanium, another mineral in the exchange, is important because it’s a very light and strong metal used for aircraft manufacturing.
Ukraine also has significant deposits of beryllium and uranium, which are critical for building nuclear weapons and reactors, according to the BBC.
Celestian says Ukraine’s minerals and rare earth metals are ones the U.S. needs and lacks.
“These materials actually are used a lot in military applications, and so we need these in order to be able to defend ourselves from future threats. If we don’t have these resources, then that puts us at a position where we’re buying things possibly from enemy states.”
He says this exchange deal could be beneficial for both parties.
If Ukraine is able to receive security in exchange for resources they already have, and if the U.S. is able to access these desirable mineral deposits in return.
“These minerals are commodities. They’re bought and sold all the time, and this is just a great way for Ukraine to be able to export important materials that can help support other countries and allies around the world. And so if the United States is an ally with this country, then that is mutually beneficial for both parties.”
Trump says he expects Zelensky to agree to the deal in their meeting this Friday. Zelensky, however, has made no guarantees. He says his support hinges on Trump’s commitment to providing aid and security in return.