Key Takeaways:

• Ukrainian President Zelensky is willing to negotiate rare earth minerals access in exchange for U.S. military support.
• Trump emphasizes the need for "security" regarding rare earths amid the ongoing war against Russia.
• Ukraine's rare earth reserves are seen as a potential asset worth trillions.
• Discussions indicate Ukraine's partnership approach rather than relinquishing its resources.
• Zelensky aims for a meeting with Trump to solidify any potential agreements.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has indicated his readiness to work with former President Donald Trump regarding the potential exchange of Ukraine’s rare earth minerals for continued military aid as the conflict with Russia persists. In a recent interview, Zelensky stated, "If we are talking about a deal, then let's do a deal, we are only for it," emphasizing that the agreement would be a partnership rather than a giveaway of resources. This comes after Trump reiterated plans for the U.S. to secure access to Ukraine's rare earths as a condition for ongoing military assistance, stating, "We’re looking to do a deal with Ukraine, where they're going to secure what we're giving them with their rare earth and other things" according to Al Jazeera.

Rare earth minerals are crucial for a variety of technological applications, including electric vehicles, smartphones, and renewable energy technologies. They consist of a group of 17 elements that, while not rare in the Earth's crust, are often found in trace amounts that complicate extraction and processing as noted by The Hill. China currently dominates the production and processing of these materials, and countries like the U.S. are exploring other avenues to reduce their dependence on a single supplier.

Zelensky's proposition aligns with Ukraine's “Victory Plan,” which aims to leverage the country's abundant natural resources, including rare earth elements, to build partnerships with allies willing to provide support during the ongoing war. He expressed, "The Americans helped the most, and therefore the Americans should earn the most," underscoring the idea of reciprocal arrangements reported by Newsweek.

However, the geopolitical ramifications of such a deal cannot be overlooked, as Russian officials have criticized the notion, viewing it as Ukraine commodifying its resources in exchange for aid. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov remarked that such arrangements would change the dynamics of assistance being provided The Hill reported.

As discussions unfold, Zelensky aims to solidify the partnership by potentially meeting with Trump, hoping to establish a clear framework for cooperation on rare earth minerals prior to any further negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying, "it will look like a dialogue about Ukraine without Ukraine" if discussions do not include direct input from his government.

For more details, visit Al Jazeera, The Hill, and Newsweek.