Today at 17:02
European Commissioner for Industrial Strategy Stéphane Séjourné stated that during his visit to Kyiv alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, he proposed a mutually beneficial agreement on Ukraine’s critical minerals to Ukrainian officials.
As reported by AFP, Séjourné made this statement on Monday.
Ukraine’s vast mineral wealth—including manganese, titanium, graphite, and lithium—has become a focal point of intense negotiations between Kyiv and Washington. U.S. President Donald Trump insists that the U.S. deserves a “return on its money” for aiding Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion.
Séjourné said that during his visit, he offered Ukrainian officials an alternative potential agreement.
“Ukraine can provide 21 out of 30 critical materials that Europe needs as part of a mutually beneficial partnership,” Séjourné said after a meeting marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“The added value that Europe offers is that we will never demand an agreement that is not mutually beneficial,” he added.
On Monday, Donald Trump announced that he is ready to meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy “this or next week” at the White House to sign a mineral resources agreement.
Earlier that day, Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna confirmed that Ukrainian and American teams were in the final stage of negotiations on a deal regarding Ukraine’s mineral resources.
On Sunday, President Zelenskyy stated at a press conference that any agreement with the U.S. on the use of Ukraine’s natural resources must include clear security guarantees from Washington.
