What Trump really meant about Ukrainian rare earth metals

He stated this on Espreso TV.

"Trump's statement was quite strange because he spoke about rare earth materials that are essentially nonexistent in Ukraine, except for a small amount of scandium in certain ores. He probably meant not just rare earth metals, but rare metals in general, which could include lithium, titanium, nickel, and cobalt. But in this context, the statement gains more significance," Landa noted.

The senior economist at the Center for Economic Strategy also added that there is currently a problem with the lack of full control over Ukrainian territories, as some are occupied. Some deposits are located along the frontline, and geological exploration work has not always been carried out.

"If Ukrainian assets, jointly owned by the Ukrainian state and investors from the U.S. and Europe, are near the Russian border, this will compel these countries to get involved in protecting these assets," Landa emphasized.

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

Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he wanted to negotiate with Ukraine about exchanging rare earth elements for U.S. aid. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the proposal of the American leader.

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

Access to rare earth metal deposits is a matter of the relatively distant future, while military aid is needed by Ukraine today, making this exchange quite beneficial.