USA

Trump wants Ukraine's rare earth minerals for continued aid

Ukraine provide the United States with its rare earth minerals in exchange for continued economic and military assistance in the ongoing war with Russia. According to AA, ,n a statement to reporters from the Oval Office, Trump revealed that the US and Ukraine are in discussions over this arrangement, stating, "We're actually working some deals right now, so we have some guarantees and other things to keep that whole situation going."

Trump criticized the disparity in aid between the US and Europe, suggesting Ukraine is receptive to his proposal. "We're telling Ukraine they have very valuable rare earth. We want what we put up to go in terms of a guarantee. We want a guarantee. We're handing them money hand over fist," he said. "I want to have security of rare earth. We're putting in hundreds of billions of dollars. They have great rare earth, and I want security of the rare earth. And they're willing to do it."

The proposal highlights Ukraine's vast reserves of rare earth minerals, with the country holding about 5% of the world's total resources, including significant reserves of lithium, semiconductor-grade neon gas, beryllium, uranium, and more.

As the war enters its fourth year, Trump remains committed to ending the conflict, repeatedly blaming both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the war's ongoing toll.