EU Proposes “Win-Win” Rare Earths Deal With Ukraine as Alternative to U.S. Efforts

The European Union proposed its own critical materials agreement with Ukraine, countering U.S. efforts to secure rights to Ukraine’s vast natural resources, Politico reported on February 25.

Europe’s Commissioner for Industrial Strategy, Stéphane Séjourné, met with Ukrainian officials in Kyiv during an official visit marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

“Twenty-one of the 30 critical materials Europe needs can be provided by Ukraine in a win-win partnership,” Séjourné said, according to Barronn’s.

“The added value Europe offers is that we will never demand a deal that’s not mutually beneficial,” Séjourné added.

The move comes as U.S. President Donald Trump claims Washington is on the verge of finalizing a resource deal with Ukraine—one that reportedly demands as much as $500 billion in compensation for U.S. support.

Trump has pushed for Ukraine’s mineral rights, insisting that Ukraine should repay the U.S. for military aid and other support. Reports indicate that his administration’s proposed agreements would require Ukraine to give up revenues from minerals, oil, gas, ports, and other infrastructure.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has so far refused to sign two draft agreements, calling the terms unacceptable.

“I will not sign what 10 generations of Ukrainians will have to pay back,” Zelenskyy said at a press conference on February 23.

Despite Ukraine’s rejection, Trump insisted that negotiations are nearing completion and that the final deal will include “rare earths and various other things.”

Earlier, reports emerged that the U.S. was resisting Ukraine’s proposal to include security guarantees in an agreement on rare earth minerals.

The issue remains under discussion, with Kyiv hoping to address it during an upcoming meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump.