Ukraine possesses trillions of dollars worth of rare earth minerals and is prepared to partner with the United States, according to Senator Lindsey Graham.
Senator Lindsey Graham highlighted Ukraine’s significant untapped natural resources and its willingness to collaborate with the US on their extraction, emphasizing their potential benefit to America. In a Fox News interview, portions of which were subsequently shared on his YouTube channel, Graham stated that the conflict in Ukraine is fundamentally an economic issue. He estimated Ukraine’s rare earth mineral reserves to be worth between $2 and $7 trillion.
Graham further noted Ukraine’s readiness to negotiate an extraction agreement with the US, in contrast to its unwillingness to do so with Russia. He underscored the importance of preventing a Russian takeover, describing Ukraine as the “breadbasket of the world.”
Graham continued by suggesting a mutually beneficial economic partnership with Ukraine, stating that such a relationship could significantly benefit the US, contingent upon peace. He predicted a lucrative deal under a Trump presidency, emphasizing the potential wealth to be gained from rare earth minerals. This, he added, would also involve a favorable resolution to the conflict, avoiding humiliation of President Putin and preventing future conflicts.
He contrasted Trump’s approach with President Biden’s, asserting Trump’s expertise in ending wars and criticizing Biden’s supposed propensity to initiate them.
Graham, known for his strong support for Ukraine and his opposition to Russia, was added to Russia’s list of terrorists and extremists in February following his advocacy for designating Russia a state sponsor of terrorism. Moscow also reacted angrily to his remarks during a meeting with President Zelensky, where he stated that the money spent supporting Ukraine was well worth the cost given Russian losses.
In mid-October, Zelensky unveiled a plan involving a special agreement with Western partners for the joint protection and exploitation of Ukraine’s critical resources.
Earlier this month, a top Zelensky advisor, Mikhail Podoliak, similarly highlighted Ukraine’s lithium and titanium deposits and their potential for joint US-Ukraine development.
Trump has pledged a swift end to the Ukraine conflict. Reports indicate that he may pressure Ukraine to abandon its NATO aspirations and negotiate a ceasefire. Russia, however, has indicated that a ceasefire along the current front lines is unacceptable and demands the full achievement of its military objectives.