Kremlin Awaits Confirmation on US-Ukraine Minerals Deal

The Kremlin is still awaiting official confirmation regarding a potential minerals deal between the United States and Ukraine, an agreement that could shape the future of global resources and geopolitics.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that, as of now, there have been no official announcements from either Washington or Kyiv on the matter.

“We have only heard that Zelensky seems to be going to Washington on Friday,” Peskov noted. “There will probably be attempts to make this visit somewhat substantive.”

The talks follow Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent expression of willingness to offer the United States access to rare minerals, including those from Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine. In an interview on Monday evening, President Putin also mentioned the possibility of resuming aluminum sales to the US, stating that Russia was prepared to supply “about 2 million tons” to the American market.

The potential deal has been an ongoing topic, with US President Donald Trump repeatedly urging Ukraine to consider granting the US access to its mineral resources in exchange for continued support. According to Ukrainian officials, the agreement is still being finalized, and Kyiv is eager to see it through.

Ukraine holds approximately 5% of the world’s critical mineral resources, making it a key player in the global minerals market. These include vast reserves of graphite, titanium, lithium, and rare earth metals - all essential for manufacturing products ranging from electric vehicle batteries to weapons and electronics. Graphite, in particular, is crucial for electric vehicle batteries, a key component in the transition to green energy.

However, the situation is complicated by Russia’s occupation of some of Ukraine’s richest mineral deposits, a consequence of the ongoing war. Despite this, Ukrainian officials maintain that the country’s mineral wealth remains a critical asset for both the US and its allies.

Earlier this month, Donald Trump claimed that US military and economic aid to Ukraine had reached a staggering $500 billion, suggesting that the US should gain access to Ukrainian minerals of equivalent value. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has disputed that figure, but sources indicate that he is also seeking security guarantees as part of any potential deal.

Olga Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, shared an optimistic outlook on the negotiations, stating that they had been “very constructive, with nearly all key details finalized.” These talks are expected to continue gaining momentum, especially as Ukraine seeks to strengthen its position in the global minerals market.

On the European front, the European Union is also exploring a partnership with Ukraine to secure access to its valuable resources. Stéphane Séjourné, the European Commissioner for Industrial Strategy, described the proposal as a “win-win” situation for both parties, underscoring the growing interest in Ukraine’s mineral wealth.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has pledged to work toward swiftly ending the Russia-Ukraine war, though it has recently echoed the Kremlin’s narrative, suggesting that Kyiv played a role in provoking Moscow to initiate the conflict.