Ukrainian mineral resources: Trump demands exclusivity for military aid

Ukrainian mineral resources: Trump demands exclusivity for military aid

US President Donald Trump has expressed that he wants to access the mineral deposits of Ukraine in exchange for future military aids that Kiev needs to defend himself against the aggression of Russia. This underlines Trump’s transactional approach in the war in Ukraine, which is not surprising, since the United States and other western countries have been in view of the mineral wealth of Ukraine for a long time.

Trump and Ukraine: military aid and minerals

"We invest hundreds of billions of dollars. Ukraine has great occurrence less often. And I want security for these rare earths, and they are ready to do this," said Trump on Monday in a statement in the Oval Office and left open what exactly the Ukraine offered. Before that, he had indicated that future help should be provided as a loan and would be bound to negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.

US aid for Ukraine under bidges

Under the former President Joe Biden, the US government of Ukraine has granted a total of $ 65.9 billion in military aid since Russia's large-scale invasion in February 2022. Biden argued that this support was crucial because Ukraine's victory is also important for America's security. Trump, on the other hand, makes it clear that the United States should not provide any help without receiving anything in return.

collaboration in raw material supply

Details about Trump's expectations of Kyiv were not announced. Nevertheless, there were plans for deeper cooperation between the USA and Ukraine in the raw material sector during his term. A memorandum developed under the bid administration provided for the United States to promote investment opportunities in Ukrainian mining for American companies, while Ukraine create economic incentives and implement environmentally friendly business practices.

strategic importance of minerals

The Ukrainian government has not yet commented on Trump’s comments. In the past, she argued that the mineral deposits were one of the reasons why the West should support Ukraine to prevent these strategically important resources falling into Russian hands. President Wolodymyr Selenskyj has emphasized the possibility of future investments in the country's natural resources by his western allies as the central component of his "victory plan".

The role of the USA in the global mineral market

The United States are heavily dependent on imports in order to obtain the required minerals that often come from China. Of the 50 minerals classified as critical, the United States was completely dependent on imports for 12 minerals and in more than 50% for another 16 minerals. Ukraine, on the other hand, has 22 of these 50 critical materials.

China's dominance and global competition

Although Trump used the term "rare earth", it is unclear whether he specifically aimed at rare earth minerals-a group of 17 elements that are decisive for the production of electronics, technologies for clean energy and certain weapon systems due to their magnetic and electrical properties. Ukraine does not have any globally significant occurrence of rare earths, but it is one of the greatest occurrence of graphite, lithium, titanium, beryllium and uranium, all of which are classified as critical minerals.

China's worldwide dominance in the production of these raw materials, especially less often earth, makes it all the more important that the USA is looking for alternative suppliers. The latest trade conflicts between Washington and Beijing illustrate this necessity, since China controls almost 90% of global processing less frequently. China's latest economic measures in response to Trump's new tariffs contain new export controls for numerous metal products and related technologies.

The growing demand for critical materials is forecast, in particular through the global transition to electric vehicles and renewable energies. "The occurrences in Ukraine are therefore globally important and offer the opportunity to diversify from dominant producers such as China," added Mycyk. "Control over these resources is crucial for the economic sovereignty of Ukraine."