EconomyPolitics A geologist explains what a mineral settlement between Kyiv and Washington ought to deal with. Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Just lately, a possible settlement between Ukraine and the US on the extraction of minerals has been broadly mentioned with consideration centered on uncommon earth metals. Natalia Bariatska, Physician of Geological Sciences, believes that their prospects are exaggerated. She emphasizes that Ukraine’s actual potential lies in essential minerals. Bariatska believes that Trump initially confused the focus of the settlement, emphasizing the uncommon earth part.

“We don’t have many uncommon earth metals, there are particular person objects, however there are none ready for extraction. At present, none of them are being extracted,” she stated. In distinction, essential minerals embody not solely uncommon earth components, but additionally such strategically essential sources as lithium, graphite, titanium, and aluminum.

“Should you have a look at the checklist of the US Division of Power, out of fifty essential components, 18 are in Ukraine,” emphasizes Bariatska.

Due to this fact, the settlement between the US and Ukraine might deal with these. The principle instructions for potential international companions could also be funding in current tasks or the event of latest deposits.