"Let's make a deal," Zelensky offers Trump rare minerals in exchange for financial aid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reviewed a once-classified map of vast deposits of rare earth minerals during an interview with Reuters, part of a push to appeal to Donald Trump's inclination for a deal.

The US president, whose administration is pushing for a quick end to Ukraine's war with Russia, said he wanted Ukraine to supply the US with rare minerals in exchange for financial support.

"If we are talking about a deal, then let's make a deal, we are for it," Zelensky said.

Zelensky said that less than 20% of Ukraine's mineral resources, including about half of its rare earth mineral deposits, were under Russian occupation.

"We must stop Putin and protect what we have – a very rich Dnipro region, central Ukraine," he said.

He unfolded a map showing numerous mineral deposits, including a wide strip of land to the east. About half of it appeared to be on the Russian side of the current front line, writes Reuters, the Telegraph reports.

Zelensky stated that Ukraine had the largest reserves of titanium in Europe, essential for the aviation and space industries, and uranium, used for nuclear energy and weapons.

But he stressed that Kiev was not proposing to "give away" its resources, but was offering a mutually beneficial partnership to develop them together.

"Americans helped the most, and therefore Americans should gain the most. And they should have this priority, and they will have it. I would also like to talk about this with President Trump," Zelensky said.

In addition, the Ukrainian president said that Kiev and the White House were discussing the idea of ​​using Ukraine's large underground gas storage sites to store U.S. liquefied natural gas.

"I know the Trump administration is very interested in it. We are ready and willing to have contracts for LNG supplies to Ukraine. And of course, we will be a hub for all of Europe," he said.

Incidentally, the interview comes a few days before the Munich Security Conference on February 14-16, where officials from dozens of Western countries will come together at an unpredictable moment in the nearly three-year war.

Zelensky said he planned to attend the forum, where Keith Kellogg, Trump's special envoy for Russia and Ukraine, is also expected.

But, according to the Ukrainian leader, it is essential that he meets Trump in person, before he meets with Vladimir Putin. /Telegraph/