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Zelenskiy Offers Rare Earths Deal Amid War, Seeks Trump Meeting
Ukraine's Zelenskiy proposes a critical minerals partnership with the US in exchange for security guarantees and financial support. He seeks a meeting with Trump before US-Russia talks.
ND
by News Desk
2025-02-08
Zelenskiy Offers Rare Earths Deal Amid War, Seeks Trump Meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is pushing for a strategic partnership with the United States involving Ukraine's vast deposits of rare earths and other critical minerals. The offer, revealed during an interview with Reuters, aims to secure U.S. financial support for Ukraine's war effort against Russia.

Zelenskiy emphasized the importance of security guarantees from Western allies as part of any settlement deal. He stressed that Ukraine was not offering to "give away" its resources but instead sought a mutually beneficial partnership for their joint development.

Critical Resources at Stake

Ukraine possesses significant reserves of rare earth elements essential for manufacturing high-performance magnets, electric motors, and consumer electronics. With less than 20% of its mineral resources under Russian occupation, Zelenskiy highlighted the risk of Moscow leveraging these assets to support U.S. adversaries, including North Korea and Iran.

"We need to stop Putin and protect what we have – a very rich Dnipro region, central Ukraine," Zelenskiy stated.

Ukraine also boasts Europe's largest reserves of titanium, essential for aviation and space industries, and uranium for nuclear energy and weaponry.

Strategic Talks with the US

Zelenskiy expressed a strong interest in meeting President Trump before any U.S.-Russia negotiations to ensure Ukraine's interests are represented. "Otherwise, it will look like a dialogue about Ukraine without Ukraine," he warned.

The Ukrainian leader emphasized that U.S. investments in Ukraine’s critical resources should take priority, given America's significant support during the ongoing conflict.

In addition to rare earths, Kyiv and Washington are discussing the possibility of using Ukraine's vast underground gas storage sites for storing U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG), a move that could position Ukraine as a key energy hub for Europe.

Battlefield Developments

On the battlefield, Zelenskiy confirmed a new Ukrainian offensive into Russia's Kursk region, advancing 2.5 km. He also noted that thousands of North Korean troops fighting for Russia had returned to combat after a brief pause.

To address a manpower shortage, the Ukrainian government plans to launch lucrative recruitment contracts targeting young men aged 18-24 next week.

Upcoming Diplomatic Moves

Zelenskiy is set to attend the Munich Security Conference from February 14-16, where U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg will also be present. Regular contacts between Zelenskiy's team and Trump administration officials, including National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, are ongoing.

As advancing Russian forces threaten Ukraine's logistics hub of Pokrovsk, Zelenskiy stressed the need for a coordinated Western strategy before engaging in talks with Moscow.
Tagged:

Donald trump

ukrainewar

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