On February 16, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated the importance of discussing the fate of mineral deposits in areas seized by Russia. This comes as the U.S. negotiates with Kyiv to access Ukraine's natural resources for American investment.
Furthermore, the talks regarding a minerals agreement, led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, coincide with President Zelenskiy's efforts to put an end to Russia's nearly three-year occupation.
During an interview with NBC on "Meet the Press," Zelenskiy raised concerns about the possibility of minerals from the occupied regions being transferred to Russian President Putin and his allies. He emphasized the necessity of addressing this issue: "It seems important to understand what we will do with those rare earths that now cost billions... that Putin occupied."
The U.S. has extended significant military aid to Ukraine since Russia's invasion three years ago. President Trump has shown support for a minerals deal, aiming to eventually recoup the investment. Zelenskiy confirmed progress on a potential agreement following discussions with U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
Zelenskiy stressed the importance of security guarantees in any economic agreement with the U.S., underscoring that fairness and protection of resources are crucial elements. He highlighted Ukraine's valuable mineral resources, including rare earth elements, titanium, uranium, and lithium.
In a meeting with U.S. senators, Zelenskiy illustrated how Ukraine could serve as an alternative source of rare earth minerals, using titanium as an example. He emphasized that Ukraine's titanium reserves could sustain industry for 40 years, offering an opportunity to reduce dependence on imports from countries like China and Russia.