According to the BBC, Ukraine’s mineral wealth is estimated to exceed $500 billion, with $350 billion worth of resources currently under Russian control in occupied territories.
The American edition of Newsweek reports that Ukraine’s rare earth metal deposits - critical for high-tech industries - could be worth tens of trillions of dollars.
Foreign media estimate Ukraine's mineral wealth and the stakes of the U.S. deal
Forbes assesses that 70% of Ukraine’s strategic mineral resources, valued at $14.8 trillion, are concentrated in eastern regions, parts of which are occupied by Russia.
Ukraine possesses 19 million tons of graphite, making it one of the world’s top five suppliers, along with one-third of Europe’s lithium reserves, essential for battery production.
Before Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine also produced 7% of the world’s titanium, a key material for aerospace and defense industries.
A Washington Post analysis by Canadian consulting firm SecDev found that in the early months of the war, Russia seized 63% of Ukraine’s coal mines and half of its manganese, cesium, tantalum, and rare earth deposits.
Despite these vast resources, the new U.S.-Ukraine deal does not include security guarantees, raising concerns in Kyiv. The Financial Times reports that the agreement would create a joint investment fund, with Ukraine allocating 50% of future mineral revenues to rebuild its economy.
Zelensky heads to Washington as U.S.-Ukraine deal faces uncertainty
President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to visit Washington this Friday to finalize the deal. However, Donald Trump has not officially endorsed it, stating that the U.S. will no longer provide Ukraine with unconditional aid.
Adding to Ukraine’s concerns, the Kremlin has openly offered to cooperate with the U.S. on rare earth metal extraction, including resources located in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. With growing fears of backdoor negotiations between Washington and Moscow, Kyiv hopes that securing American investment will help safeguard its economic and strategic interests.
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Source: BBC/PAP/Business Insider/Newsweek/Forbes/Washington Post/Financial Times