Ukraine: in kyiv, Stéphane Séjourné discusses a “win-win” agreement with the EU on “critical materials”

European Commissioner for Industrial Strategy Stéphane Séjourné spoke on Monday, during a meeting with the Ukrainian government, about an agreement between Ukraine and the EU on “critical materials” that would be, in his words, “mutually beneficial” to both sides. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Kiev on Monday with her team on the occasion of the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

During a working session between European commissioners and the Ukrainian government, Stéphane Séjourné discussed a possible agreement on critical materials. "21 of the 30 critical materials that Europe needs can be provided by Ukraine in the framework of a win-win partnership," explained Mr. Séjourné after this meeting in Kiev, at a time when American President Donald Trump is hammering home that he wants access to rare earths and other Ukrainian resources. "The added value of Europe is that we will never ask for an agreement that is not mutually beneficial," he added.

Since the telephone conversation between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin on February 12, the White House tenant has completely reversed the position of the United States on the conflict in Ukraine. The American president has been insisting for several days to "recover" the amount of aid provided to Ukraine. "We are asking for rare earths and oil, anything we can get," he said on Saturday.

Minerals can be described as critical or strategic by countries for their economy or their energy transition, particularly in the event of fears of supply disruptions. The United States designates around fifty, the EU more than thirty. Ukraine, which produces three critical minerals in particular - manganese, titanium and graphite - also says it has on its territory "one of the largest resources" of lithium in Europe.