The European Union has put forward a proposal for an agreement with Ukraine on critical raw materials, offering what it describes as a mutually beneficial partnership, even as former US President Donald Trump pushes for his own deal to secure access to Kyiv’s mineral resources.
Ukraine possesses a wealth of valuable minerals, including manganese, titanium, graphite, and lithium, making it a key player in global resource markets. Negotiations between Kyiv and Washington over these materials have been tense, with Trump insisting that the US is owed compensation for its financial and military support in Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s invasion.
During a visit to Kyiv alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Commissioner for Industrial Strategy, Stéphane Séjourné, outlined a different approach to cooperation. “Twenty-one of the 30 critical materials Europe needs can be provided by Ukraine in a win-win partnership,” Séjourné stated. He emphasised that the EU’s offer was distinct from the US position, assuring that “Europe will never demand a deal that is not mutually beneficial.”
Meanwhile, Trump has claimed that the US is very close to securing its own agreement with Ukraine regarding its mineral wealth. Speaking on Monday, he reiterated his stance that Ukraine should provide resources in return for US financial aid, saying, “We’re asking for rare earth and oil—anything we can get.”
The EU’s proposal arrives on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as Kyiv continues to seek international support to sustain its economy and war effort. With both the US and the EU vying for access to Ukraine’s critical resources, the negotiations could shape the country’s economic and geopolitical future.
