Kyiv offers strategic access to minerals in exchange for US military support

Kyiv has expressed cautious optimism about securing continued support from the Trump administration, emphasizing the potential for a mutually beneficial partnership centred on Ukraine's vast natural resources.

Following President Donald Trump’s recent suggestion that he could maintain US backing for Ukraine in exchange for access to critical minerals, Ukrainian officials are making strategic moves to align with the US on energy and resource issues, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Herman Halushchenko, Ukraine’s energy minister, reached out to Trump’s newly appointed energy secretary, Chris Wright, highlighting the destruction of 50% of the country's energy infrastructure by Russian forces and stressing the importance of sustaining it to maintain leverage over Moscow. Halushchenko underscored Ukraine's vast reserves of oil, gas, uranium, and other critical minerals, which are essential for the US defence and tech industries.

Ukraine possesses deposits of 22 of the 50 materials identified by the US as critical, including graphite, lithium, titanium, beryllium, and uranium, which are crucial for manufacturing batteries, radar systems, and armour. This resource wealth positions Ukraine as a strategic partner for the US, particularly as the US seeks to reduce its dependence on Chinese minerals.

Republican leaders, including Senator Lindsey Graham, have long recognized Ukraine's resource potential. “If we help Ukraine now, they can become the best business partner we ever dreamed of,” he said last year.

Despite these opportunities, Ukraine faces significant challenges. Much of its mineral wealth is concentrated in the east and south, areas heavily contested or occupied by Russian forces. Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have advocated for international investments in the country’s resources as part of a broader victory plan to reclaim occupied territories and restore sovereignty.

However, experts are questioning whether the Trump administration will offer enough military support to help Ukraine regain control over these critical regions. Daniel Vajdich, a Republican foreign policy expert, noted that while Trump may be drawn to the economic incentives, it remains uncertain whether he will prioritize Ukraine’s territorial recovery.

As the war continues, the balance between securing international support and addressing the cost of potential deals remains delicate. Many Ukrainians, however, see any opportunity to safeguard their sovereignty and secure their country’s economic future as crucial, even if it involves uncomfortable compromises.

By Aghakazim Guliyev