Ukraine offers rare earth metals for US security backing
Ukraine is prepared to offer the USA rare earth metals and underground storage for LNG in exchange for security guarantees, stated Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview with Reuters. The President of Ukraine highlighted that this proposition represents a mutually beneficial partnership.
"The Americans helped the most, and therefore the Americans should earn the most," said the President of Ukraine, as reported by Reuters.
President Donald Trump suggested that Ukraine should secure access to these metals as a guarantee for continued military assistance. "We're looking to do a deal with Ukraine where they're going to secure what we're giving them with their rare earths and other things," said Trump.
As Reuters notes, Zelensky had already spoken with Trump in the fall of 2024 about granting access to Ukrainian rare earth metal deposits, which play a critical role in the production of high-performance magnets, electric engines, and consumer electronics, in exchange for security assurances.
Zelensky pointed out that Ukraine has the largest reserves of titanium and uranium in Europe. Titanium is crucial for the aerospace and space industries, while uranium is essential for nuclear energy. Some of these deposits are located in areas occupied by Russia.
Cooperation in LNG
"Many of the titanium deposits were marked in northwestern Ukraine, far from the fighting," noted Reuters. According to the Ukrainian leader, Russia was aware of the key resource locations in Ukraine from Soviet geological surveys, which were relocated to Moscow after Kyiv declared independence in 1991. Some deposits are on Ukrainian territories occupied by Russian forces.
The President of Ukraine also discussed the possibility of utilizing Ukrainian storage facilities for storing American LNG. "We're ready and willing to have contracts for LNG supplies to Ukraine. And of course, we will be a hub for the whole of Europe," stated Zelensky.
Zelensky stressed the importance of meeting with the President of the USA before Trump's discussions with Vladimir Putin. "Otherwise, it will look like a dialogue about Ukraine without Ukraine," he commented. Trump announced that the meeting with Zelensky could take place next week in Washington.
