Statement from Zelensky: Will Ukraine hand over its mines to the US? 'Americans should benefit the most'

Compiled by: Suat TEKİN - 12punto.com.tr

Last week, US President Donald Trump demanded that mineral deposits come under US control in exchange for the support they provide to Ukraine. Evaluating Trump's requests in an interview on Friday, Zelensky noted that he is open to an agreement with the US. According to Zelensky's statement, the US, as the country providing the most support to Ukraine, could gain the right to use the mines 'in a way that benefits both countries' after the war.

Approximately half of Ukraine's rare earth and mineral deposits fell under Russian control during the war. In the summer of 2024, the Ukrainian army launched an offensive where the regions containing these mines were primary targets. Russia managed to defeat the Ukrainian attack and keep the mineral deposits under its control.

Trump, who took office on January 19, halted all war support provided to Ukraine. Following Trump's decision, the Russian army launched large-scale attacks against Ukrainian forces.

While US aid resumed earlier this week, Trump made it a condition that the US take over the country's rare earth and mineral mines to continue supporting Ukraine against Russia.

Ukraine is home to Europe's richest rare earth and mineral deposits. At the beginning of the war, some experts suggested that Russia's primary goal was to seize the mineral deposits in the country. Source: The Economist

WHY ARE RARE EARTHS AND MINERALS IMPORTANT?

The mines requested by Trump have been on the agenda since 2022. These minerals, used in the production of advanced technological tools, are utilized in chip manufacturing, artificial intelligence research, electric vehicles, the development of space technologies, and state-of-the-art military equipment.

In an interview with Reuters, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine needs the help and security guarantees of its allies to end the war. Stating that the most aid against Russia has come from the US, the Ukrainian leader expressed that they could discuss Trump's requests.

While examining a map showing Ukraine's mineral deposits during the interview, Zelensky made the following assessments regarding Trump's demand:

''If we are talking about a deal, then let's make a deal; we are just in favor of a deal. We need to stop Putin and protect what we have; places like Dnipro, which is a very rich region (the region targeted by Russia in its attacks)... The Americans were the ones who helped the most, and therefore the Americans should benefit the most. They should have this priority, and they will. I also want to talk about this with President Trump.''

UKRAINE'S MINERAL PROPOSAL

The idea of opening the mines to the use of Ukraine's allies was first put forward by the Zelensky administration in the summer of 2024. Ukraine requested support from the US and NATO in exchange for the mines and proposed a 'victory plan' that would force Russia to the negotiating table.

The offensive launched within the scope of the plan failed. However, a few months later, Ukrainian troops managed to occupy Russia's Kursk region with NATO's support. The mines had not been discussed again since then. Trump's demands were initially met with reaction by Ukraine, which needs uninterrupted military aid to continue the war.

However, as the Russian advance accelerated in recent weeks, Zelensky noted that he is ready to sit at the table and wants to discuss the usage rights of the mines with Trump. Approximately half of Ukraine's rare earth and mineral mines are currently under Russian control. Russia is also continuing its advance toward the Dnipro region, which has rich mineral deposits.

News Source: 12punto