France Pushes to Join U.S.-Ukraine Resource Deal, Citing Long-Term Defense Needs

France has requested to join discussions on a U.S.-Ukraine resource deal, arguing that access to Ukrainian raw materials is critical for its defense industry and could accelerate the end of the war, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu said on a French radio Franceinfo on February 27.

“It is essential that this agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine is finalized. But you should know that I am also discussing our defense needs with my Ukrainian counterpart. Our defense industry will require resources… We are not seeking compensation, but our defense system needs key materials not only for the coming years but for the next 30 to 40 years. I have asked President Macron to allow us to enter discussions with the Ukrainians as well,” Lecornu stated.

The minister emphasized that “economic issues are always intertwined with military, strategic, and security matters.”

In addition, France is negotiating with Ukraine for access to natural resources to sustain its defense sector, particularly as U.S. influence in Ukraine’s raw material market continues to grow.

Lecornu clarified that France’s request is not an attempt to recover funds invested in Ukraine’s defense and other sectors.

“Perhaps it went unnoticed, but last fall in Paris, President Zelenskyy himself raised the issue of natural resources in his ‘Victory Plan,’ making several proposals not only to the U.S. but also to France,” Lecornu noted.

He added that Ukrainian officials have leveraged access to natural resources as part of their broader negotiations with Western partners, alongside discussions on frozen Russian assets, to ease the financial burden on European taxpayers providing aid to Ukraine.

“So, this is not something Trump just invented—it was originally proposed by the Ukrainians themselves,” Lecornu concluded.

Earlier, France, the UK, Germany, and other European nations stated that they are prepared to send troops to Ukraine to help enforce a ceasefire once an agreement is reached with Russia.