As his administration pushes for rapid peace negotiations, Donald Trump has unveiled his new approach to Russia's war on Ukraine. In Washington on Monday, February 3, the president said he wanted a deal that would ensure the "security" of US access to Ukrainian minerals in exchange for military and financial support for Kyiv. "We're looking to make a deal with Ukraine where they will secure what we're providing them with their rare earth materials and other resources," he said in an exchange with reporters in the Oval Office.

These critical natural resources in the country's soil are crucial to the defense and high-tech industries. "We want a guarantee. We're handing them money hand over fist," said Trump.

US interest in these minerals comes in response to a proposal made by the Ukrainian administration in recent months to appeal to Trump's transactional streak and secure his support. In Kyiv on Tuesday, Zelensky said he had spoken directly to his US counterpart at a meeting in September 2024, while reiterating that resource sharing was part of his "plan for victory." "We are open to the idea that mineral resources can be developed with our partners who help us protect our land and push the enemy back with their weapons, their presence, and sanctions packages. This is absolutely fair," said the Ukrainian president.

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