The European Commission has proposed a strategic agreement on critical raw materials to Ukraine, offering an alternative to ongoing U.S. negotiations on the country’s mineral resources.
The proposal was made by EU Commissioner for Industry and Internal Market, Stéphane Séjourné, during his visit to Kyiv alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Séjourné stated that the EU’s offer was designed to be mutually beneficial and would secure Europe’s access to essential minerals while supporting Ukraine’s economic stability. His remarks come at a time when Ukraine’s mineral wealth—particularly its reserves of manganese, titanium, graphite, and lithium—has become a focal point in international negotiations.
Competing Interests Over Ukraine’s Mineral Resources
Ukraine’s extensive reserves of critical minerals have attracted increasing interest from global powers. Washington and Kyiv have been engaged in high-level discussions about a bilateral agreement on mineral extraction, with U.S. President Donald Trump linking such a deal to American financial and military assistance to Ukraine. Trump has publicly insisted that the United States should receive a return on its investment in Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s full-scale invasion.
In contrast, Séjourné highlighted Europe’s commitment to an equitable agreement.
“Europe needs 21 out of the 30 critical materials that Ukraine can provide,” he stated. “The added value that Europe offers is that we never demand a deal that is not mutually beneficial.”
His visit to Kyiv coincided with the third anniversary of Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine, underscoring the geopolitical significance of the discussions.
U.S.-Ukraine Talks Nearing Conclusion
Meanwhile, U.S.-Ukraine negotiations on critical minerals are reportedly in their final stages. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanishyna confirmed on Monday that both sides were working towards concluding an agreement. The discussions have been accompanied by calls from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for clear security guarantees from Washington as part of any resource deal.
Trump, speaking on Monday, indicated that he was prepared to host Zelenskyy at the White House “this week or next” to finalise an agreement. The U.S. has not disclosed specific terms of the deal, but it is expected to involve American investment in Ukrainian mining infrastructure and preferential access to key raw materials.
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