Zelensky on Trump's Rare Earth Demand: "Wants US Companies to Develop"

U.S. President Donald Trump’s demand for rare earth elements in exchange for military aid to Ukraine was met with a response from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

On the 4th (local time), according to AFP and others, President Zelensky stated at a press conference that Trump’s rare earth comment the previous day was something he had already proposed in September last year, and that Ukraine is open to investment from allied countries.

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

He said, "American companies interested in entering Ukraine want to develop this sector," adding, "We are open to developing all these resources together with allies who help defend our territory and repel the enemy with weapons and sanction packages, and this is completely justified."

President Zelensky visited New York in September last year and presented a 'victory plan' to then-Republican presidential candidate Trump to end the war with Russia. He said rare earth elements were an important economic factor in the 'victory plan' at the time and added, "I talked about this when I met President Trump."

President Trump said the previous day, "We are pursuing a deal with Ukraine, and we plan to have Ukraine provide rare earth elements and other resources as collateral in exchange for what we provide."

President Zelensky said his team is coordinating a visit schedule with Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine. He also reported that Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, and Michael Waltz, U.S. National Security Advisor, had a phone call. The Ukrainian presidential office stated that the call included discussions on the need for a direct meeting between Presidents Zelensky and Trump.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.