Zelenskyy Ready to Fulfil Trump's Wishes on Rare Earth Mineral Barter

KYIV, SATURDAY — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy openly welcomed US President Donald Trump's desire to facilitate peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia through the barter of rare earth minerals. The negotiation process is likely to be more challenging because most of the rare earth mineral deposits desired by Trump are located in Ukrainian territories currently controlled by Russia.

"If we are talking about an agreement, let's make an agreement. We will strive for it with all our might," said Zelenskyy in an exclusive interview with Reuters news agency, Friday (7/2/2025).

Rare earth metals are a collection of dozens of metal materials used in the production of magnets. These magnets will later be utilized in the manufacturing process of electric vehicles, smartphones, and other electronic devices.

The US Geological Survey identifies 50 minerals as critical to the US economy and national defense, including several types of rare earth minerals, nickel, and lithium. The US has only one rare earth mineral mine. The country's capacity to process rare earth minerals is also very limited.

Ukraine is said to have potential uranium, lithium, and titanium. However, the size of Ukraine's deposits is not among the top five in the world.

In a special interview with Reuters, Zelenskyy revealed a previously classified map showing large deposits of rare earth elements and other important minerals contained within Ukrainian soil. Zelenskyy intends to utilize these deposits to secure agreements.

"We need to stop Putin and protect what we have. The very rich Dnipro region, central Ukraine," he said.

Zelenskyy stressed the need for full security guarantees for Ukraine from its allies as part of any settlement process.

He opened a map of mineral potential, including rare earth minerals, on the table in the president's office. He pointed to several areas on the map with large mineral deposits, including a vast tract of land in the east that is marked and contains rare earth minerals. About half of it appears to be on the Russian side of the current front line.

Zelenskyy claims that Ukraine has the largest titanium reserves in Europe, which are crucial for the aviation and aerospace industries, as well as uranium, which is used for nuclear energy and weapons. The northwestern region of Ukraine, far from the battlefield, is claimed to have large titanium deposits.

Although welcoming Trump's desire, Zelenskyy stated that his side did not propose to simply give away the ownership and management of their natural resources to the US. He offered a mutually beneficial partnership.

"Americans helped the most, and therefore Americans should get the most. And they should get this priority, and they will. I also want to talk about this with President Trump," Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy said Russia knew in detail the location of Ukraine's mineral resources because Moscow had conducted geological surveys and mapping after independence in 1991.

Not only giving the green light for the use of rare earth minerals, Zelenskyy also revealed plans for the US underground storage of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Ukraine. "I know that the Trump administration is very interested in it. We are ready and willing to have a contract for the supply of LNG to Ukraine. And of course, we will be a hub for the whole of Europe," he said.

Zelenskyy and Ukraine's comments come amid a push by the Trump administration for Kyiv and Moscow to start thinking about peace talks. However, Trump's stance had Zelenskyy a priori when the real estate tycoon expressed sympathy for Russia's decision to invade Ukraine. Zelenskyy had warned that peace talks should not marginalize Ukraine.

Zelenskyy's stance also prompted the discourse on the implementation of the election process in Ukraine in Trump's government circles. This push was enthusiastically welcomed by Moscow, which said it would not negotiate directly with Kyiv because it considered Zelenskyy's government illegitimate.

The illegitimacy of Zelenskyy's government is also a consideration in the White House. Trump's Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, said that Ukraine's presidential and parliamentary elections, which have been postponed during the war, need to be held immediately.

"Most democracies hold elections in times of war. I think it's important for them (Ukraine) to do so," Kellogg said.

Zelenskyy's term was supposed to end in 2024. However, based on the martial law decree of 2022, that cannot be implemented.

Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet Trump face to face next week. However, before that, Zelenskyy will meet with US Vice President JD Vance in Germany. In Germany, Ukraine hopes to discuss what security guarantees its allies can provide to prevent repeated Russian aggression.

While welcoming Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to the White House on Friday, Trump said his meeting with Zelenskyy would likely be in Washington. He would not be going to Ukraine.

Trump said the war in Ukraine must end in the name of humanity. "I would like to see it end, just on humanitarian grounds," Trump said of Russia's three-year invasion of Ukraine. "I would like to see it end. It's a ridiculous war."

On that occasion, Trump also said that he wanted to talk directly with Zelenskyy to discuss rare earth minerals in the context of the security of Ukraine's natural resource assets.

Trump acknowledged that he wanted something in return for U.S. support. "We want them to level the playing field," he said. (AP/Reuters)