Ukraine’s vast rare earth mineral reserves are renewed our interest, with President Donald Trump claiming that Kiev has “essentially agreed” to a major supply transaction. As tensions with China grow, Washington is seeking alternatives to secure these important resources.
US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Ukraine has “essentially agreed” to deal with the US on rare earths, a key component of modern technology and the defense industry.
“I told them I wanted something worth $500 billion worth of rare earth, but they essentially agreed to do that,” Trump said.
This development comes amid growing tensions between the United States and China, the world’s largest producers of rare earth minerals. Both the US and Europe have sought to reduce their dependence on Beijing on these important resources.
Zelenskiy is open to US involvement in the mineral sector of Ukraine
In an interview with Reuters on February 8, Ukrainian President Voldy Meezelensky expressed his willingness to work with the United States on developing large-scale sediments of Ukraine’s rare earth minerals and other important resources.
Rare earth minerals, a group of 17 metals, play a key role in a variety of industries, including electric vehicles, mobile devices, and defense systems. The US Geological Survey identifies 50 minerals, including several rare earth elements, nickel and lithium, as important.
Ukraine’s rich rare earth mineral reserves
Ukraine, often referred to as “European packaging,” has vast mineral wealth. Data from the country’s economy ministry shows that Ukraine holds deposits of 22 of the 34 minerals classified as important by the European Union. These include industrial and construction materials, ferroloys, precious and nonferrous metals, and several rare earth elements.
However, Ukraine’s vast coal reserves remain a controversial issue as they are currently under Russian control in the occupied territory.
The major rare earths of Ukraine
According to the Geological Institute, Ukraine has reserves for several important rare earth elements, including:
Used in lanthanum and cerium, television and lighting neodymium. Erbium and yttrium, essential for wind turbines and electric vehicle batteries, are used in nuclear and laser technology scandium, and are identified in EU-funded studies, but detailed data remains categorized
In an interview Friday, Zelensky said Russia had occupied about half of Ukraine’s rare earth deposits. Ukraine has a significant reserves of titanium and uranium, the largest in Europe, but analysts and economists point out that there are currently no commercial rare earth mines.
The strategic importance of Ukraine mineral resources
The World Economic Forum recognizes Ukraine as a potential major supplier of several important minerals, including lithium, beryllium, manganese, gallium, zirconium, graphite, apatite, fluorite and nickel. According to the state’s geological services, Ukraine has an estimated 500,000 metric tons of lithium due to its batteries, ceramics and glass, one of Europe’s largest confirmed reserves.
Titanium reserves are primarily in the northwest and central regions, while lithium is in central, eastern and southeastern Ukraine. Furthermore, the country holds 20% of the world’s known graphite reserves, a key material for electric vehicle batteries and nuclear reactors.
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