US President Donald Trump made the announcement on Thursday that the US would be putting together a deal with Ukraine regarding exposure to its uncommon world materials.
Trump confirmed signing a law to “dramatically boost” US essential mineral production during his White House address, and he mentioned an upcoming deal with Ukraine.
” We’re furthermore signing contracts in various locations to access rare rocks and minerals, and a lot of different things, especially Ukraine,” he said. Trump continued,” One of the things we are doing is signing a deal quite soon with respect to exceptional rocks with Ukraine, which they have great significance in unusual rocks, and we appreciate that.”
Trump has been pressing Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reach financial contracts to balance the country’s support of Ukraine’s defense against Russian war.
He particularly targeted Ukraine’s material sources. Iron, iron, metal, lithium, and uranium are among the five percent of the world’s mineral deposits that are held by the nation.
Although Ukraine has “rare planets,” which are 17 distinct metal in the broader essential minerals group, few are now being extracted for professional use, as reported by AFP.
Zelenskyy last month rebuffed a contract granting US mining companies entry to mineral developments, citing limited protection against extended Russian military action. Trump has nonetheless continued to support a temporary cessation of hostilities.
The US and Ukraine’s proposed” essential nutrient offer” aims to give the US exposure to Ukraine’s large reserves of essential minerals, including metal and lithium, that are important for sectors like artificial intelligence, defense, and clean energy. In accordance with the agreement, Ukraine would add 50 % of its revenues from newly discovered material assets, oil, and natural gas to a joint investment portfolio to entice investment from the private sector and support Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Following hostilities between Trump and Zelenskyy, the agreement came to an end during a White House gathering in February. Trump pressed Zelenskyy to avert the US from receiving any of these tools in trade for continued military support, while Zelenskyy pushed for obvious security guarantees, something the package did not. Zelenskyy’s early withdrawal without signing the contract was caused by a heated change in the Oval Office, which prevented the scheduled press conference and signing ceremony. The break strained US-Ukraine relations in the wake of the ongoing conflict with Russia, underscoring Trump’s prioritization of resource access over absolute support.
Read more about how a crucial metal deal was halted as a result of the Trump-Vance-Zelenskyy dispute.
