US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he is exploring the possibility of striking a deal with Kiev that would grant the United States access to Ukrainian rare earth minerals in return for the aid or resources Washington provides.
"We're looking to do a deal with Ukraine where they're going to secure what we are giving them with their rare earth and other things. [...] They [the Ukrainians] have great rare earth [minerals], and I want security of the rare earth [minerals], and they are willing to do it," Trump told reporters.
According to Donald Trump's statements in January, his administration is looking into the issue of whether to continue the supply of weapons to Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
In late January, President Trump reportedly tasked his special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, with resolving the Ukrainian conflict within 100 days.