US President Trump has linked future aid to Ukraine to the country’s supply of rare earth materials, crucial for high-tech production. Trump criticized Biden for not demanding financial reciprocation from Ukraine and suggested he could negotiate peace with Russia. Chancellor Scholz condemned Trump’s demands as self-centered, emphasizing Ukraine’s need for financial support for reconstruction. Meanwhile, reports indicate that significant Ukrainian resources are under Russian control, heightening concerns about the future of Ukraine’s raw materials amidst ongoing conflict.
US President Trump Conditions Support for Ukraine on Raw Material Supply
US President Donald Trump has placed a new condition on further American assistance to Ukraine: the country must supply valuable raw materials in return. Trump articulated this demand during discussions in Washington, emphasizing the need for an agreement that would ensure the delivery of rare earth elements to the United States. He highlighted, “We are investing hundreds of billions of dollars. They have great rare earths,” indicating that Ukraine is willing to comply with this expectation. These rare earth materials are crucial for the production of high-tech devices, including smartphones and electric vehicles.
In light of this situation, Trump has not held back in his criticism of his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden. He remarked, “Biden never asked them for money. He never said: You have to pay. He just handed out money.” In contrast, Trump is actively seeking to negotiate with the Ukrainian government to secure assurances regarding US support.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Pistorius is set to engage with European allies to discuss matters concerning Ukraine.
Trump’s Threats to Reduce Aid to Ukraine
As the primary supporter and arms supplier for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia, the US plays a critical role in providing aid. However, Trump has repeatedly suggested that he may significantly cut this support. The former president has expressed confidence in his ability to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, stating, “We have made a lot of progress with Russia and Ukraine,” although he did not provide specific details. In Kyiv, there are growing concerns that Russia could ultimately benefit from any peace negotiations.
Scholz Responds to Trump’s Demands
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has sharply criticized Trump’s latest demands, labeling them as “selfish” and “self-centered.” He voiced these concerns after an informal EU summit in Brussels, explaining that it is crucial for Ukraine to focus on financing its own reconstruction. Scholz emphasized the significant challenges the nation faces in recovering from extensive destruction, arguing that Ukraine’s resources should support its post-war rebuilding efforts.
Trump has claimed he could swiftly negotiate with Putin to bring an end to the war in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy’s Offer of Access to Raw Materials
Thus far, there has been no official response from Ukraine regarding Trump’s statements. However, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously extended an offer to Western allies for access to Ukraine’s rich raw material reserves before the upcoming US elections. During a presentation of his so-called victory plan in Kyiv’s parliament, he referenced valuable resources such as uranium, titanium, lithium, and graphite.
Zelenskyy highlighted that Ukraine possesses raw materials “worth trillions of US dollars.” The critical issue remains whether these resources will be seized by Russia and its allies in the global arena or whether they will remain with Ukraine and the democratic world.
Occupied Resource Areas by Russian Forces
According to reports from independent Russian news outlet ‘Currenttime’, significant portions of Ukraine’s rare earth deposits are currently under Russian occupation. Specific mention was made of the Krutaja Balka deposit near Berdyansk, which has fallen into enemy hands. Furthermore, recent advances by Russian forces near Kurakhove have resulted in the loss of another strategic deposit.
Despite these challenges, Ukraine still possesses approximately 20 explored fields containing critical raw materials. Given the dire circumstances, there may be pressure on the Ukrainian government from Trump to concede valuable resources at prices far below their true worth.
This topic was reported by Deutschlandfunk on February 4, 2025, at 08:46 AM.