Ukraine strikes mineral deal with USA amid global rivalry
Ukraine possesses some of the world's largest deposits of critical resources, including rare earth metals, lithium, and graphite. Their value is estimated to be in the tens of trillions of dollars. According to an analysis by the American "Newsweek," most of these reserves are located in areas affected by conflict or occupied by Russia.
Ukrainian deposits of rare earth metals, essential for the technology and defense industries, have become the focus of global competition. These resources are valued in the trillions of dollars and are primarily found in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions—most of which are occupied by Russia.
According to the Ukrainian Geological Service, the country holds 5% of the world's critical resource reserves. Particularly valuable is graphite, with reserves totaling 21 million metric tons (approximately 23 million US tons), establishing Ukraine as a global leader in this resource.
Significant lithium deposits make up as much as 33% of all European reserves of this key element for battery production. Before the Russian invasion, Ukraine accounted for 7% of the world's titanium production, essential to the aerospace and energy industries.
Meanwhile, Russia, which controls significant mineral-rich areas, has also expressed readiness to cooperate with the USA in the extraction of rare earth metals. Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russian deposits in the Donbas might become crucial for the global resource market.
The interest of American companies in Ukrainian minerals is no coincidence. On Monday, at 5:00 PM ET, US President Donald Trump announced that his administration was close to reaching an agreement with Kyiv regarding the exploitation of these resources. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna also confirmed that an agreement had been reached.
Ukraine agrees to deal with USA
Meanwhile, according to unofficial reports by the "Financial Times," Ukraine agreed to the American minerals deal after Washington dropped its most stringent demands.
According to the Financial Times, Kyiv is now prepared to finalize an agreement for the joint development of its mineral resources, including oil and gas, following the U.S. decision to withdraw its claims to $500 billion in potential revenue from their exploitation.
Ukrainian officials expressed hope that adopting the agreement will improve relations with US President Donald Trump's administration and pave the way for long-term US involvement in the country's security.
