President Trump has proposed access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals in exchange for U.S. military aid, echoing ideas previously presented by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. This proposal arises as the U.S. considers deeper cooperation around Ukraine’s extensive critical resources, crucial for technologies like electric vehicle batteries and military hardware. While Trump emphasized a transactional approach, he critiqued European contributions amid ongoing conflict, calling for a strategic agreement. Zelenskyy welcomed discussions, aligning them with his “Victory Plan,” which aims for economic partnerships to secure Ukraine's mineral wealth against potential Russian appropriation.