A Ukraine minerals deal is not the win Trump thinks it is

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Times News or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed willingness to sign a minerals deal with the U.S., despite initial tensions with Donald Trump
• The deal aims to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction, repay U.S. aid, and reduce American reliance on Chinese minerals
• U.S. and Ukrainian officials plan to discuss the agreement next week in Saudi Arabia

🔭 The context: Ukraine holds an estimated 5% of the world’s rare-earth minerals, but much of this data is outdated
• Extracting and processing these resources could take up to 18 years, and a significant portion lies in war-torn eastern Ukraine
• Past conflicts, like those in Afghanistan and Syria, highlight the risks of pursuing resource-driven strategies

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Reducing dependence on China for critical minerals could diversify global supply chains
• However, extracting these resources in a conflict zone raises ethical and environmental concerns
• A rush for minerals may also intensify geopolitical tensions and military involvement

⏭️ What's next: If U.S. companies invest in Ukrainian minerals, they may require protection from Russian attacks, potentially dragging the U.S. deeper into the conflict
• Alternative partnerships with mineral-rich allied nations like Canada, Australia, or Norway could provide safer options
• Trump’s approach to the deal will signal his broader strategy on Ukraine and resource security

💬 One quote: "The more assets that U.S. companies have on the ground, the more security it creates for the Ukrainian people." — U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

📈 One stat: Ukraine is estimated to contain 22 of the 34 minerals critical to U.S. national security, according to the U.N.

See sustainability performance of mining companies like ArcelorMital, BHP and Glencore

Click for more news covering the latest on social responsibility