US and Ukraine Sign Rare Earth Minerals Deal

The United States and Ukraine have signed an economic partnership agreement that will provide the US with access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals.

The Details: The agreement ensures full ownership and control of the resources stays with Ukraine and specifies that the Ukrainian state determines what and where to extract. Ukrainian Economy Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko wrote in a post on X that she also signed an agreement to establish a United States–Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund. “Together with the United States, we are creating the Fund that will attract global investment into our country,” she wrote.

For Context: President Donald Trump has said since taking office that he wants access to Ukraine’s rare earth materials in exchange for continued US support in the war with Russia. The deal was stalled after conflict in a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in February. 

How The Media Covered It: CNN (Left bias) noted that Trump framed this deal as Ukraine “paying back” the US for the aid it has provided in the war. Fox News (Right) quoted Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said, Trump “envisioned this partnership between the American people and the Ukrainian people to show both sides’ commitment to lasting peace and prosperity in Ukraine.” Forbes (Center) wrote, “it’s not clear” if this deal will pay off for the US because of the cost associated with mining and producing rare minerals.

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