The pact between the two nations contemplates the creation of a Joint Investment Fundwhom Ukraine will allocate 50% of its future income for natural resources. In detail, Ukraine has 21 of the 30 substances that the European Union (EU) defines how “critical raw materials“, which represents around the 5% of world reserves.
The agreement between Trump and Zelenski on natural resources
The negotiated mineral agreement in recent days would open the vast mineral wealth of Ukraine to the United States, who was one of the main financiers of the European country in reference to the war with Russia. However, for the moment, the text does not include US security guarantees about a possible Russian future invasion, the main request of Ukraine.
According to the Ukrainian government, the agreement establishes the creation of a joint fund in which Ukraine will contribute 50% of the income derived from the exploitation of these resources in exchange for security guarantees. However, Trump was away from this position, according to his latest statements on the subject: “I will not give security guarantees beyond that (…) we will make Europe take care of it that is the neighbor next door.”
For the American president, The presence of US investment in these mineral reserves “is an automatic security spice.”
The possible Washington Pact seeks that the United States recover part of the billions of dollars in armament supplied to kyiv during the three years of war. From Trump’s management they affirm that they sent U $ S500,000 million in financial aid to the European country.
What are the rare minerals that Ukraine has?
“Rare earth” is a collective term for 17 chemically similar elements that are used a lot in modern technology and industry. For example, these elements are used in the manufacture of smartphones, computers and medical equipment, among others.
In detail, the list covers; Scandio (SC); the ititrium (y); the Lantano (La); the hill (CE); The Paseodymium (PR): the neodymium (ND); The Prometio (PM); the samario (SM); the Europio (EU); the gadolinio (GD); The Terbio (TB); The Disposio (Dy); The Holmio (Ho): The Erbio (ER); El Tulio (TM); the iterbio (yb) and the luthecio (Lu).
These natural resources are called “rare” because it is very unusual to find them in its purest state. However, some of them are presented in deposits throughout the planet.
What minerals does Ukraine have?
Trump put the eye on the Ukrainian territory since it has 21 of the 30 substances that the European Union (EU) defines as “critical raw materials”, which represents around the 5% of world reserves.
Many of the areas that contain these elements are south of what is known as Ukrainian crystalline shield, mainly under the Azov Sea. Most of these territories are currently occupied by Russia.
As for other important Ukrainian mineral resources, About 70% of them are, according to Forbes Ukraine, in the Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk and Luhansk regions. That is, many are within territories that were invaded and occupied by Russia.
In addition to rare earth minerals, Ukraine also has what is known as essential minerals, such as lithium. As detailed by the Ukrainian government itself, the country has some 450,000 tons of lithium reserves.
Source: Ambito
