Scholz calls Trump’s proposal to trade Ukrainian rare earths for U.S. aid "very selfish"

The German TV channel n-tv reported the information.

Scholz called it "very selfish, very egocentric" to use the country's resources to fund defense support.

Scholz emphasized that the priority is for Ukraine to finance its reconstruction, considering the massive destruction, and that the country’s resources should be used for everything needed after the war.

For reference. Ukraine has reserves of non-ferrous and rare earth metals, including beryllium, zirconium, tantalum, and a complex of phosphorus rare earth and rare metal ores.

According to Forbes, as of 2023, the total value of mineral resources in Ukraine is estimated to be up to $15 trillion, with more than 70% of the total amount coming from three regions - Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk and Luhansk.

• The previous day, Donald Trump said he wanted to negotiate with Ukraine on the exchange of rare earth elements for U.S. aid.