Ukraine signs rare minerals deal with US to secure war support

WASHINGTON - Ukraine signed an agreement that would give the U.S. access to its valuable rare minerals in the hopes of ensuring continued American support for Kyiv in its grinding war with Russia, senior Ukrainian officials said Wednesday.

Ukraine’s economy minister and deputy prime minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, flew to Washington on Wednesday to help finalize the deal, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said during an appearance on Ukrainian television. Although the main part of the agreement had been settled, there were still hurdles to overcome, said a senior Ukrainian official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the official wasn’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

For Ukraine, the agreement is seen as key to ensuring its access to future U.S. military aid.

What is the minerals deal?

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The United States will have access to Ukraine’s critical mineral wealth, including key ingredients for the clean energy transition. 

Countries vary in which minerals they deem strategically critical. The U.S. Department of the Interior has designated 50, and Ukraine has more than 20 of those.

The U.S. and Ukraine would have joint ownership of a fund, and Ukraine would in the future contribute 50% of future proceeds from state-owned resources, including minerals, oil, and gas. 

The idea was initially proposed last fall by  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as part of his plan to strengthen Kyiv’s hand in future negotiations with Moscow.

Why is the deal needed?

Why you should care:

Deposits of titanium, which is in high demand, are spread across the country. Titanium is used for making aircraft wings and other aerospace manufacturing, for marine uses, chemical processing and medical devices.

RELATED: Trump accuses Ukraine's Zelenskyy of 'gambling with World War III' in heated meeting

Ukraine has lithium, key to several current battery technologies, and it has uranium, used for nuclear power, medical equipment and weapons.

The country also has graphite and manganese, both used in batteries for electric vehicles.

What they're saying:

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a video posted to X that "this partnership allows the United States to invest alongside Ukraine, to unlock Ukraine’s growth assets, mobilize American talent, capital and governance standards that will improve Ukraine’s investment climate and accelerate Ukraine’s economic recovery."

Trump has called the dealt that could be worth a trillion dollars. "It could be whatever, but it’s rare earths and other things."

Minerals deal was in danger of not going through after contentious meeting 

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In February, Trump berated Zelenskyy for being "disrespectful" in an extraordinary Oval Office meeting, then abruptly called off the signing of a minerals deal that Trump said would have moved Ukraine closer to ending its war with Russia.

"You’re gambling with World War III, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that’s backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have," Trump told Zelenskyy.

Trump later directed a "pause" to U.S. assistance to Ukraine as he seeks to pressure Zelenskyy to engage in negotiations to end the war with Russia.

A White House official said Trump is focused on reaching a peace deal and wants Zelenskyy "committed" to that goal. The official added that the U.S. was "pausing and reviewing" its aid to "ensure that it is contributing to a solution." The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the assistance.

The order will remain in effect until Trump determines that Ukraine has demonstrated a commitment to peace negotiations with Russia, the official said.