U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal Faces Uncertainty Over Resource Potential and Security Guarantees

Experts question the economic viability of Ukraine's mineral reserves, while the deal lacks firm U.S. security commitments for Kyiv.

The U.S. and Ukraine have signed a preliminary agreement to jointly develop Ukraine's critical minerals, including titanium, lithium, and graphite, through a Reconstruction Investment Fund.
Experts highlight that Ukraine's rare earth mineral deposits remain largely unverified, with outdated Soviet-era surveys providing limited evidence of their potential value.
The lack of U.S. security guarantees in the agreement raises concerns about the feasibility of attracting long-term investment in Ukraine's mining sector during ongoing conflict with Russia.
Developing Ukraine's mineral resources is expected to require significant capital investment, with timelines for production stretching up to a decade or more.
Industry analysts emphasize that while Ukraine has deposits of critical minerals, its mining infrastructure and energy systems have been severely impacted by the war, complicating extraction efforts.