Why Trump is greedy for Ukraine’s rare mineral reserves?

US President Donald Trump’s recent offer to Ukraine for minerals in return for military and financial aid has put the spotlight on the country’s vast and rare mineral resources, which Washington wants a share of in return for past military support.

Ukraine has vast underground reserves worth $11.5 trillion of vital minerals, including lithium, graphite, cobalt, titanium and rare earths such as gallium, that are essential to a range of industries from the military to electric cars.

However, these reserves—which are uncommon in Europe—have not been thoroughly explored or developed, which takes years even in well-established fields.

Before investing millions of dollars in new mines, investors require information on the quality of the reserves, which is also lacking.

Vital minerals in Ukrainian mines

About 10 percent of the world's lithium reserves, which are used to make batteries, are thought to be found in Ukrainian territory, according to government statistics. Although the reserves seem to cover about 820 square kilometers, none have been mined to date.

Among the essential minerals, Ukraine possesses substantial proven reserves of scandium, which has not yet been mined, and zirconium, which is utilized in jet engines.

Although some of its reserves of the aerospace metal beryllium, the semiconductor-making tantalum, and the superconducting niobium are mined on a small scale, Ukrainian officials say they have enormous potential.

Ukrainian officials also say the country is among the world’s top 10 countries in terms of titanium reserves, which are used for missiles, aircraft and ships, yet only about 10 percent of its proven reserves are being developed.

What does the US want from Ukraine’s mines?

Trump claims that in exchange for previous military assistance to defend against Russia, the US owes Ukraine $500 billion in resources, including ports, oil and gas, and mineral deposits.

According to the State Department, that is a substantial amount more than the $69.2 billion in military assistance Washington has provided Ukraine since 2014.

Zelensky turned down the offer, stating that any mineral resource deal had to be linked to US security assurances after the war.

He is also keen for the European Union and other countries such as Britain and Canada to participate in the future exploitation of the country’s natural resources.

The Telegraph newspaper website wrote in a report: The draft agreement that the Trump administration presented to Zelensky goes far beyond control of the country's vital minerals, and this agreement means permanent American economic colonization of Ukraine.