Ukraine’s preliminary agreement with the United States over its mineral wealth marks a significant geopolitical development, intertwining economic survival with strategic dependence. While the deal is being framed as a win-win arrangement, it raises critical questions about Ukraine’s long-term sovereignty, its security aspirations, and the true beneficiaries of this resource exchange.

At the heart of the agreement lies Ukraine’s vast reserves of rare earth minerals, including graphite, lithium, titanium, and other critical raw materials essential for modern industries, from electric vehicles to advanced weaponry. The US, eager to reduce its dependence on China for these resources, views Ukraine as a valuable alternative. In return, Ukraine hopes to leverage its mineral wealth to secure much-needed investment for its wartorn economy. The proposed investment fund, jointly managed by Kyiv and Washington, is intended to finance Ukraine’s reconstruction, with half of future state-owned mineral........

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