Trump and Zelensky to sign minerals deal as U.S. seeks to recoup Ukraine aid
By isabelle // 2025-03-01
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  • Trump and Zelensky sign a landmark minerals deal to tap Ukraine’s critical resources like lithium and titanium, boosting U.S.-Ukraine economic ties.
  • The agreement excludes U.S. security guarantees, leaving Ukraine’s defense concerns unresolved amid ongoing war with Russia.
  • Ukraine will contribute 50% of future mineral revenues to a joint U.S.-Ukraine fund for infrastructure and energy projects.
  • The deal aims to reduce U.S. reliance on China for critical minerals but faces long-term challenges due to war and underinvestment.
  • Trump frames the deal as a way to repay U.S. taxpayers for aid, while experts warn of high costs and slow progress.
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are poised to sign a landmark minerals deal during Zelensky’s visit to the White House, marking a significant shift in U.S.-Ukraine relations. The agreement, which focuses on Ukraine’s vast deposits of critical minerals like lithium, titanium, and rare earths, is seen as a way for the U.S. to recoup some of the billions of dollars in aid it has provided to Kyiv since Russia’s invasion in 2022. However, the deal notably excludes explicit U.S. security guarantees, leaving Ukraine’s long-term defense concerns unresolved. The meeting comes amid heightened tensions between the two leaders, with Trump recently criticizing Zelensky’s handling of the war and labeling him a “dictator.” Despite the friction, both sides appear eager to finalize the agreement, which could pave the way for future U.S. investment in Ukraine’s war-torn economy while addressing America’s growing reliance on China for critical minerals.

A deal decades in the making

The proposed agreement centers on Ukraine’s untapped mineral wealth, which includes deposits of 22 of the 34 minerals the European Union deems critical. These resources—ranging from lithium for electric vehicle batteries to titanium for aerospace and defense industries—are essential for modern technology but remain largely undeveloped due to years of war and underinvestment. Under the terms of the deal, Ukraine would contribute 50% of future revenues from state-owned natural resource assets to a U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund. The fund, jointly managed by both nations, would reinvest in Ukrainian infrastructure, energy, and mining projects. While the agreement outlines a framework for cooperation, it lacks specific timelines or financial commitments, leaving key details to be negotiated later. For Ukraine, the deal represents a lifeline as it seeks to rebuild its economy and secure Western support. However, without security guarantees, developing these resources near the frontlines of the war remains a daunting challenge.

U.S. aims to counter China’s dominance

The Trump administration has framed the deal as a strategic move to reduce U.S. dependence on China, which currently dominates the global supply chain for rare earths and critical minerals. China controls 70% of U.S. rare earth imports, according to a 2025 U.S. Geological Survey report, leaving America vulnerable to supply disruptions. By tapping into Ukraine’s resources, the U.S. hopes to bolster its domestic supply chains and compete more effectively with Beijing. However, experts caution that extracting and processing these minerals will take years, if not decades. “It’s a capital-intensive business, and it’s a long-term project,” said Roman Opimakh, former director general of the Ukrainian Geological Survey.

Aid repayment and political implications

Trump has repeatedly emphasized that the deal is a way to repay American taxpayers for the billions of dollars in aid sent to Ukraine. “We’re going to have a lot of people over there,” Trump said during a press conference, suggesting that U.S. involvement in Ukraine’s mineral sector would provide its own form of security. The agreement could also help Trump win back support from congressional Republicans, many of whom have grown skeptical of continued aid to Ukraine. “This is a joint economic alliance where the U.S. would help develop Ukraine’s critical minerals,” said Republican Representative Michael McCaul. “And then obviously, our industry would make money. They would make money, and then we help to pay for the war." Although the deal offers a glimmer of hope for Ukraine’s economic recovery, significant challenges remain. Much of the country’s mineral wealth lies in Russian-occupied territory, and the war has left Ukraine’s infrastructure in ruins. Developing new mines and processing facilities will require billions in investment and a stable security environment—neither of which Ukraine currently has. The U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal marks a pivotal moment in the relationship between the two nations, offering a potential path to economic recovery for Ukraine and a strategic win for the U.S. in its competition with China. However, the absence of security guarantees and the immense challenges of developing Ukraine’s resources in a war zone mean the road ahead will be challenging. As Trump and Zelensky put pen to paper, the success of this agreement will depend on sustained political will, significant investment, and a resolution to the ongoing conflict with Russia. Sources for this article include: Reuters.com 1 Reuters.com 2 CBSNews.com WashingtonPost.com
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