Ukraine secures mineral pact with USA amid Russian tensions
Ukraine boasts some of the largest deposits of critical resources in the world, including rare earth metals, lithium, and graphite. Their value is estimated to be in the tens of trillions of dollars. Most of the reserves are situated in areas affected by fighting or occupied by Russia, according to an analysis by the American publication "Newsweek."
Ukrainian deposits of rare earth metals, essential for the technology and defence industries, have become the focus of global competition. Their value is estimated to be in the trillions of dollars, and the largest resources are found in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions—most of which are occupied by Russia.
According to the Ukrainian Geological Survey, the country possesses 5% of the world's critical resource reserves. Particularly valuable is graphite, with reserves of 21 million tonnes (approximately 23 million US tons), placing Ukraine among the global leaders.
Significant too are the deposits of lithium—constituting as much as 33% of all European reserves of this key element for battery production. Before the Russian invasion, Ukraine also accounted for 7% of the world's titanium production, which is used in 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 emphasised 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 10:00 PM GMT, 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 reaching an agreement.
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.
