American companies are more than welcome to invest in rare earths in Ukraine. That was the message from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj on Tuesday.
The day before, Donald Trump suggested that Ukraine could provide rare earths in exchange for American security and weapons support. And that idea has at least some support in Ukraine, although the details are not immediately clear from the statements.
- I want American companies to develop this field, says Zelenskyj in statements published by the Ukrainian presidential office.
Rare earths are a collection of 17 metals. They are used, among other things, in the production of smartphones and computers. They are also needed for magnets for wind turbines and in the production of electric cars.
It was not clear on Monday whether Trump was talking specifically about the 17 metals, which Ukraine, according to CNN, does not have significant deposits of on a global scale, or whether the US president was talking more broadly about critical minerals.
- We are working on making a deal with Ukraine where they can secure what we give them, through rare earths and other things, Trump said on Monday evening Danish time according to AFP.
Open for investment
On Tuesday, Zelenskyy responded.
- We are open to the fact that this can be developed together with our partners, who both help protect our country and push back the enemy with their weapons and sanctions packages - and that is completely fair.
The Ukrainian president calls the idea an "important economic point" in the so-called "victory plan" that the president has presented. The plan aims to end the three-year war with Russia. Zelenskyy says he and Trump also discussed the idea during a visit to the United States in the fall.
- I told him that we are open to investment from American companies, the Ukrainian president says.
In an evening speech later Tuesday, Zelenskyy spoke of "substantial discussions" with the Trump administration. Trump has previously said he wants - and can bring about - a very quick peace in Ukraine.
/ritzau/AFP
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