Trump Says he Wants Ukraine's Rare Earth Elements as a Condition of Further Support

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz risked the wrath of Donald Trump when he blasted the president's proposal to tie future American military aid for Ukraine to access to its rare earth resources.

More than 50 per cent of Ukraine’s critical rare earth mineral resources are in regions illegally annexed by Vladimir Putin and partially occupied by his forces

Ukraine previously offered U.S. access to its rare earth minerals in an effort to keep the Trump administration engaged in supporting the country militarily in its fight with Russia.

While the comment highlighted Trump’s transactional approach to the war in Ukraine, it was not entirely unexpected.