President Donald Trump on Monday proposed that Ukraine supply the United States with rare earth minerals as compensation for the nearly $300 billion in military and economic aid provided by Washington to support Ukraine’s war efforts against Russia.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump emphasized the disparity in contributions between the U.S. and its European allies, suggesting that Ukraine’s natural resources could serve as a form of “equalization” for American support.
“We’re looking to make a deal with Ukraine where they will secure what we’re providing them with their rare earth materials and other resources,” Trump said. He added that Ukraine had signaled its willingness to negotiate.
Ukraine has yet to comment on Trump’s proposed rare earth minerals deal.
Rare earth elements, a group of 17 metallic elements, are used for modern technologies like electric vehicles, smartphones, and advanced military systems. While Ukraine possesses substantial deposits of minerals such as uranium, lithium, and titanium, it is not considered one of the world’s top producers of rare earth elements.
The U.S. Geological Survey lists 50 minerals as critical to national security and economic stability, including rare earths, nickel, and lithium. The U.S. currently has only one operational rare earth mine and limited processing capabilities, with China dominating global production.
Trump’s remarks come amid broader questions about U.S. support for Ukraine. During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump criticized the extensive aid provided under the Biden administration and claimed he could negotiate an end to the conflict “within 24 hours” if elected.
On Monday, he reiterated that negotiations are ongoing to bring the war to a close, stating: “We made a lot of progress on Russia, Ukraine. We’re going to stop that ridiculous war.”
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pushed back against any talks about Ukraine that excluded his government. “They may have their own relations, but talking about Ukraine without us — it is dangerous for everyone,” Zelenskyy told the Associated Press.
Despite uncertainties surrounding the future of U.S. assistance under Trump’s leadership, Reuters reported that American arms shipments to Ukraine resumed over the weekend after a brief pause.
