US President Donald Trump has said that aid to Ukraine will continue if the latter promises to supply the United States with rare earths.
"We are telling Ukraine that they have very valuable, rare earths. We want to make a deal with Ukraine, within the framework of which they will provide what we give them, rare earths and other materials," he said.
When asked whether Trump wants Kyiv to supply resources to Washington, the president gave a positive answer, noting that he wants to have guarantees regarding the supply of rare earth. He insisted that Ukraine is already ready for this.
According to the head of the White House, he wants Kyiv to "repay for almost $300 billion in support provided to Washington."
According to Reuters, the president's words do not clarify whether he meant the important minerals or simply "rare earths."
Rare earths are a group of 17 metals used to make magnets, electric cars, mobile phones, and other electrical devices. There are no substitutes for them.
It should be noted that China is the world's largest producer of rare earths and many other essential minerals.
