What can a US mineral deal do for the Ukraine?

Ukraine claims to hold nearly $15 trillion worth of mineral resources, making it one of the most resource-rich nations in Europe. The country is home to the continent’s largest reserves of lithium, titanium, and uranium.

Notably, the Trump administration has shown interest in Ukraine’s rare earth reserves.

In this interview with MINING.com host Devan Murugan, Roman Opimakh, former Director General of the Ukrainian Geological Survey, explains how mineral exploration and investment from the EU, UK, and U.S. could serve as Ukraine’s best “iron dome” and contribute to peace in the country.

Titanium is a critical raw material for industries such as aerospace, defense, chemicals, and pigment fabrication.

Ukraine holds the largest titanium reserves in Europe, ranking among the top five for titanium rutile reserves. These reserves could meet U.S. and EU metallic titanium demand for over 25 years.

However, a significant portion of Ukraine’s mineral resources is located in Russian-occupied territories.