Article Title: US gains access to Ukraine’s minerals
02-05-2025
International Relations Current Affairs Analysis
Context
• The U.S. and Ukraine on Wednesday signed an agreement granting American access to Ukraine’s vast mineral resources, finalising a deal months in the making that could enable continued military aid to Kyiv.
• The development comes amid concerns that President Donald Trump might scale back support in ongoing peace negotiations with Russia.
• Mr. Trump said on Wednesday night that the deal, “in theory,” means that the U.S. will get more from Ukraine than it contributed.
• The US seeks rare-earth elements, titanium, gallium, and other critical minerals for weapons systems, clean energy, and reducing dependence on China.
• Ukraine possesses significant reserves of rare-earth minerals essential for various high tech industries, including aerospace, defence, and renewable energy.
• According to data from the Ukrainian geologic survey, Ukraine possesses 5% of the world’s mineral resources, including 23 of the 50 materials deemed critical by the U.S. government.
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