"We are open to U.S. investments": Zelenskyy responds to Trump's statement on rare earth elements

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this during a press conference with IAEA head Rafael Grossi, RBC-Ukraine reports.

According to the president, Ukraine's victory plan included a clause on foreign investments in the country's economy.

"We have enough of them, and you see that Russia has been occupying our lands since 2014. Some of them were really large volumes of our minerals there. We are open to the fact that all this 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. And this is absolutely fair," Zelenskyy replied.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy admitted that back in September 2024 he had spoken to Donald Trump that Ukraine would be open to investment by American companies.

"We are open to investment by American companies. And with pleasure. Why? Because if it is all under Russian control, other countries, other companies will come there. I am sure that Iran and North Korea will too. I talked to him about this, these are facts. I would like American business to really, I know that it is very interested, very interested in entering Ukraine. I would like them to develop this direction here," the president's statement said.

Exchange of Ukrainian rare earth elements for U.S. aid

The day before, U.S. President Donald Trump said that he wants to reach an agreement with Ukraine on the exchange of rare earth elements for U.S. aid. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the American leader's proposal.

Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak suggests that U.S. President Donald Trump's statement about the desire to exchange Ukrainian rare earth elements for aid was made for an American audience.

Lieutenant Colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Deputy Commander of the 3rd Assault Brigade Maksym Zhorin also expressed his opinion. The serviceman is convinced that it is important not to "simply drain all the resources to zero."