Zelensky on US interest: Half of our rare earth deposits are in territories occupied by Russia

In an interview with Reuters, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, quoted by the Bulgarian National Radio, commented on the possibility of a partnership with the United States over the vast deposits of rare earths and other critical minerals in his country, as part of an attempt to please US President Donald Trump, who has a penchant for making deals.

The US president, whose administration is pushing for a quick end to Ukraine's war with Russia, said earlier this week that he wants Kiev to supply the United States with rare earths and other minerals in exchange for financial support for its military efforts.

"If we are talking about a deal, then let's make a deal, we are only for that", Zelensky told Reuters, emphasizing that his priority would be to increase Ukraine needs security guarantees as part of any deal to prevent another Russian invasion in the future.

However, Zelensky noted that less than 20% of Ukraine's mineral resources, including about half of its rare earth deposits, are in territories under Russian occupation.

Rare earth elements are important in the production of high-performance magnets, electric motors and consumer electronics.

In this regard, Zelensky said that Moscow could provide these resources, located in the occupied territories, to its allies North Korea and Iran, which are sworn enemies of the United States.

"We must stop Putin and protect what we have – "very rich Dnieper region, central Ukraine," he said.

Zelensky unfolded a map on a table in the heavily guarded presidential office in Kiev, showing numerous mineral deposits, including a wide strip of land in the east marked as containing rare earth elements. About half of the mineral-rich deposits on the map appear to be on Russia's side, according to the current front lines, Reuters noted.

He said Ukraine has Europe's largest reserves of titanium, which is essential for the aviation and aerospace industries, as well as uranium used for nuclear power and weapons. Many of the titanium deposits are marked in northwestern Ukraine, which is far from the fighting, the agency noted.

But Zelensky stressed that Kiev was not offering a "giveaway" of its resources, but offers a mutually beneficial partnership for their joint development:

"The Americans helped the most, and therefore the Americans should gain the most. And they should have this priority and they will. I would like to talk about this with President Trump".

He pointed out that Russia knows in detail where Ukraine's critical resources are from Soviet-era geological surveys that were returned to Moscow when Kiev gained independence in 1991.

Furthermore, Zelensky said that Kiev and the White House are discussing the idea of using Ukraine's vast underground gas storage facilities to store liquefied natural gas from the United States.

"I know that the Trump administration is very interested in this. We are ready and willing to have contracts for the supply of LNG to Ukraine. And of course, we will be a hub for all of Europe,” he said.

The interview comes days before the Munich Security Conference on February 14-16, where officials from dozens of Western countries will gather at an unpredictable moment in Russia’s nearly three-year military invasion.

Zelensky said he plans to attend the forum, where Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Russia and Ukraine, is also expected.

The Ukrainian president also stressed the importance of him meeting Trump in person before the U.S. president meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin, “otherwise it will look like a dialogue about Ukraine without Ukraine.”

Earlier on Friday, Trump was quoted as saying he expected to speak with Zelensky next week.