Ukraine, which is heavily reliant on Western weapons to fend off Russian President Vladimir Putin's ongoing full-scale invasion, faces a critical situation as resource-rich areas, like the Krutaja Balka site near Berdyansk on the country's southeastern coast, remain under Russian occupation.

President Donald Trump said he wants Ukraine to give the US rare earth metals in exchange for aid in its war with Russia. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday, the president said he wanted to get guarantees on a supply of "very valuable rare earth" materials from Ukraine in return for US military equipment.

President Donald Trump on Monday indicated that he wants to reach an agreement with Ukraine to gain access to the country’s rare earth elements as a condition for continuing U.S. support for its war against Russia.