Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Saturday that Kyiv is seeking strategic partnerships and investments in its vast mineral resources, rejecting the idea of simply handing them over as collateral.
His statement came after the U.S. President Donald Trump suggested Ukraine use its rare minerals as collateral in exchange for military support from the United States.
“We have mineral resources. But that doesn’t mean we give them to anyone, even strategic partners,” Zelenskyy emphasized in a social media post, which included excerpts from an interview with Reuters. “It’s about partnership. Put your money in. Invest. Let’s develop this sector together and make money,” he added.
Zelenskyy highlighted Ukraine’s immense reserves of rare minerals such as titanium and uranium, which he claimed are among the largest in Europe, representing “trillions of dollars” in potential wealth. He underscored the strategic importance of these resources, labeling them as “security guarantees” for Ukraine and stressing the necessity of safeguarding them from falling into Russian hands.
Controversial Proposal from Trump
Earlier this week, President Trump stated his desire for a rare earths deal with Ukraine, saying, “We look forward to reaching an agreement where they will put their rare minerals and other things as collateral for what we give them.”
The proposal sparked criticism, particularly from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who expressed disapproval of tying military aid to economic demands.
“We are helping Ukraine without asking for money in return. That should be everyone’s position,” Scholz told RND on Saturday.
Upcoming Talks and the War’s Third Year
Zelenskyy hinted at upcoming discussions with U.S. officials, mentioning plans for meetings and negotiations with President Trump, though he did not confirm a specific date. Trump also stated that he is “most likely” to meet Zelenskyy next week outside Ukraine and expressed willingness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to encourage peace talks. However, no such meetings have been confirmed.
The proposal and discussions come as the war in Ukraine nears its third year, with Russian forces continuing their offensive in eastern Ukraine. Amid these developments, Zelenskiy remains firm in his call for international investment in Ukraine’s resources, positioning them as key to both the nation’s economic and security future.
