After more than two years of war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is signaling a willingness to strike a deal with President Donald Trump—one that could secure Ukraine’s future while also aligning with Trump’s vision of securing America’s economic and geopolitical interests.
In a Friday interview with Reuters, Zelenskyy acknowledged Trump’s demand that Ukraine supply the U.S. with rare earths and other critical minerals in exchange for continued financial aid. And, in a significant departure from past rhetoric, Zelenskyy made it clear he was open to the idea.
“If we are talking about a deal, then let’s do a deal, we are only for it,” Zelenskyy said.
This is a striking shift in tone, reflecting not only Ukraine’s dire need for continued Western support but also an acknowledgment that the old model of endless U.S. aid with no return on investment is no longer viable. Under the Biden-Harris administration, the U.S. funneled $175 billion in economic and military aid to Ukraine with no clear exit strategy. Trump, in contrast, has made it clear that any future U.S. support must come with tangible benefits for American interests—and Ukraine’s vast reserves of rare earth minerals offer exactly that.
Ukraine’s mineral wealth is staggering. The Dnipro region and central Ukraine hold vast deposits of rare earth elements, lithium, and other critical minerals—materials essential for everything from advanced military technology to electric vehicles and renewable energy. Control over these resources isn’t just about economics; it’s a geopolitical arms race.
Zelenskyy himself admitted that these minerals are of immense value:
“These deposits are priceless, it is huge amounts of money, huge. That’s why we need to protect it.”
And protection is exactly what Trump is offering—but under new terms.
Days after his election victory, Trump personally called Russian President Vladimir Putin, delivering a clear warning against further escalation in Ukraine. He also held a separate conversation with Zelenskyy and Elon Musk, where Ukraine’s role in supplying rare earths to the U.S. was reportedly a key topic.
The result? A Zelenskyy who now recognizes Trump’s leverage and is positioning Ukraine as a partner rather than just a recipient of American generosity.
Ukraine’s concern isn’t just about Russia—it’s about who benefits from these minerals if Ukraine fails to secure them. Currently, Moscow controls less than 20% of Ukraine’s mineral resources, including roughly half of its rare earth deposits. But if Russia expands its reach, those materials could end up in the hands of its allies—North Korea and Iran.
Zelenskyy put it bluntly:
“We will protect those trillions. We will prevent Russia from mining the minerals which will later be used to produce technologies for the three countries of the axis of evil.”
What we’re witnessing is the beginning of a realignment in U.S.-Ukraine relations—one driven by hard negotiations rather than open-ended assistance. The old approach of the Biden era—where aid flowed with no strategic benefit to America—is over.
Zelenskyy now understands that Trump isn’t going to bankroll Ukraine’s war effort indefinitely without ensuring America gets something in return. In fact, Ukraine’s “victory plan” from last year already hinted at allowing Western allies to invest in its mineral resources—but under Trump, this idea will no longer be an option, but a necessity.
And Trump’s message to Putin? Crystal clear:
The U.S. will not allow Russia to win this war, not just for Ukraine’s sake, but because America has too much to gain from Ukraine’s recovery—both strategically and economically.
