France is also in the process of negotiating access to Ukraine’s critical mineral deposits, as stated by the French defense minister on Thursday (February 27, 2025). This indicates that the United States is not the only country involved in these discussions.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit the White House on Friday (February 27, 2025) to finalize a minerals agreement with President Donald Trump, who made the announcement on Wednesday.
Similar to the United States, France is also engaging in talks with Ukraine to diversify its sources of essential minerals, as mentioned by French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu in an interview with France Info.
Although he did not specify the exact minerals being sought by France, Ukraine has offered to supply rare earth elements crucial for various technologies, including lithium and uranium.
Mr. Lecornu emphasized the importance of securing raw materials for France’s defense industries in the coming years, stating, “We have to diversify that.”
He also mentioned that French President Emmanuel Macron has initiated discussions with Ukraine to explore additional source countries for rare minerals. “I have been doing so since October,” the minister added.
Contrary to seeking repayment for aid provided to Ukraine, Mr. Lecornu clarified that France is primarily focused on securing essential raw materials for its defense systems in the long term.
He highlighted that the discussions are still in the early stages, indicating, “It’s the beginning of the story.”
Published – February 27, 2025 09:56 pm IST
