“If we don’t take action, we’re being foolish. I emphasized to them that we must — ‘we need to secure something. We can’t keep spending this amount of money,’” he remarked.

Ukraine is rich in vital critical elements and minerals, including lithium and titanium, essential for the production of contemporary technologies. Additionally, the country possesses vast reserves of coal, oil, gas, and uranium, although a significant portion of these resources is located in regions currently under Russian control.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been considering proposals to let the U.S. tap into Ukraine’s natural resources as a strategy to maintain support from Trump. This concept aligns with Ukraine’s “victory plan,” a comprehensive agenda of economic and security measures aimed at achieving a fair peace with Russia, which Zelenskyy shared with international allies last year.

“The United States has provided the most assistance, and thus they should be the ones to benefit the most,” Zelenskyy stated in a recent interview with Reuters. “I also wish to discuss this matter with President Trump.”

Trump, who aims to outpace China in the global resource competition, has previously expressed interest in utilizing Ukraine’s mineral wealth.

Earlier this month, he mentioned to reporters in the Oval Office, “We’re exploring a deal with Ukraine in which they will back what we’re providing them with their rare earths and other resources.”

His comments drew criticism from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who condemned Trump’s transactional approach to foreign policy as “extremely egotistical and self-serving.”