Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has signaled his willingness to strike a deal with the United States over Ukraine’s vast deposits of rare earth minerals, in a move aimed at securing continued U.S. support for the country's war effort against Russia.
In an interview with Reuters on Friday, Zelenskiy revealed a once-classified map detailing Ukraine’s mineral resources, including rare earths, titanium, and uranium. The offer aligns with U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent call for Ukraine to supply critical minerals in exchange for financial aid.
"If we are talking about a deal, then let's do a deal," Zelenskiy stated, emphasizing the need for security guarantees from allies as part of any agreement.
Ukraine holds some of Europe’s largest deposits of rare earths, which are essential for electric motors, high-performance magnets, and consumer electronics. However, nearly 20% of Ukraine’s mineral-rich lands, including about half of its rare earth deposits, remain under Russian occupation. Zelenskiy warned that Russia could exploit these resources to benefit its allies, including North Korea and Iran.
“We need to stop Putin and protect what we have – a very rich Dnipro region, central Ukraine,” he stressed.
Additionally, Zelenskiy revealed that his government is discussing a partnership with Washington to use Ukraine’s vast underground gas storage facilities for U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies, potentially making Ukraine a key energy hub for Europe.
Zelenskiy’s remarks come ahead of the Munich Security Conference (Feb. 14-16), where Western leaders will discuss the evolving geopolitical landscape. He underscored the importance of meeting Trump before any U.S.-Russia negotiations, warning against talks about Ukraine taking place without Ukrainian representation.
“Otherwise, it will look like a dialogue about Ukraine without Ukraine,” he cautioned.
Trump confirmed plans to speak with Zelenskiy next week, with discussions expected to focus on Ukraine’s security needs and the broader Western strategy before potential talks with Moscow.
On the front lines, Zelenskiy confirmed for the first time that Ukrainian troops launched a new offensive on Thursday, advancing 2.5 km (1.5 miles) into Russia’s Kursk region. Meanwhile, Russian forces continue their offensive in eastern Ukraine, pressing towards the key logistics hub of Pokrovsk.
He also noted that thousands of North Korean troops fighting alongside Russia had resumed combat operations after a brief pause.
To address manpower shortages, Kyiv plans to roll out lucrative recruitment contracts next week targeting men aged 18-24, a group below the draft age.
As Ukraine navigates both battlefield and diplomatic challenges, Zelenskiy’s latest moves highlight his bid to secure long-term Western support while pushing back against Russian advances.