In reality, very little is known about what is at stake regarding Ukraine's mineral deposits. Several reports suggest the existence of deposits worth more than 10 trillion dollars. The government of President Volodymyr Zelensky has shown interest in promoting crucial exploitable materials, seeking greater military and economic support.
Rare earth elements, essential in defense and high-tech industries, have caught attention, especially from Trump, in efforts to secure critical supplies. Although Ukrainian deposits include rare earths, titanium, zirconium, graphite, and lithium, the available information primarily comes from government data, lacking a modern assessment of the country's resources.
Despite potentially economically viable deposits in Ukraine, the West faces challenges in extraction and processing, with China being the main player in supply and refining capacity. Ukraine has shown interest in promoting lithium, graphite, and titanium; however, the available production does not always meet the needs of industries such as U.S. defense.
The demand for rare earths has increased due to their importance in manufacturing rechargeable batteries, but overproduction has led to a decline in prices. The U.S. defense industry, for example, requires titanium in a form that Ukraine does not produce on a large scale. Ukraine's mineral wealth becomes relevant amid the search for resources by international powers.
Although Ukraine has not previously stood out in this arena, interest has been rekindled, especially with Russia's intervention. The reserves are relatively unknown and face challenges in extraction, processing, and competition. In a global market dominated by China, the United States seeks to diversify its sources of raw materials and control strategic resources.
