Trump demands rare earth metals from Kyiv for aid

• Published On: 04 February 2025 at 17:54

President Donald Trump has proposed negotiating a deal with Ukraine in which Kyiv guarantees the supply of rare earth metals, which are critical elements used in electronics, in exchange for aid.

This idea was first proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in October as part of his "victory plan" to end the conflict with Russia.

The proposal could help Ukraine strengthen its economy and secure continued support, while also providing the United States with a more reliable source of these critical resources.

"We're telling Ukraine that they have very valuable rare earths," Trump stated on Monday. "We're looking to do a deal with Ukraine where they're going to secure what we're giving them with their rare earths and other things."

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump stated that Ukraine is open to the idea and that he expects "equalisation" from Ukraine in exchange for Washington's nearly $300 billion aid package.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz slammed Trump's demand for a trade-off, calling it "very selfish, very self-centred." He argued that resources such as rare earth metals would be better used for Ukraine's post-war reconstruction, a viewpoint he shared after meeting with other EU leaders in Brussels.

US weapons shipments to Ukraine were temporarily halted in recent days before resumed over the weekend as the Trump administration deliberated on its policy towards Kyiv, according to Reuters, citing four sources familiar with the situation.

Shipments resumed after the White House reversed its initial decision to suspend all aid to Ukraine.