President Zelenskyy reacted to US leader Donald Trump’s comments suggesting the US could continue assisting Ukraine in exchange for Ukrainian rare earth metals.
“We are open to the notion that this can be developed alongside our partners who help us protect our land. And that is fair,” Zelenskyy stated.
The president noted that he had already discussed this matter during a meeting with President Trump in September last year.
“We welcome investment from American companies. If Russia controls this area, then other countries and companies will move in,” he added.
Forbes previously estimated the total worth of Ukraine’s minerals to be $14.8T. The estimated value of the resources in the Poltava region alone is $790B. The nearly 300 explored deposits in the area include oil, gas, iron ore, granite, sand, clay, bischofite, and others. The Poltava region accounts for 60.5% of Ukraine’s gas condensate production, 43.4% of gas, and 10.1% of oil.