Russia may receive Ukrainian "rare earths" for free if territories are not protected - Zelenskyy
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that the protection of Ukraine's territories is important not only from a security point of view but also financially, as Russia can gain free access to strategically important minerals such as rare earth metals and gas.
He said this in an interview with The Guardian, Censor.NET reports.
"I think it should be mutually beneficial. What is happening now is not beneficial. The fact that Putin is seizing our territories and he is simply getting priceless minerals in the temporarily occupied territories for free. We know how they destroyed mining and processing capabilities, how they destroyed and sawed up entire factories, flooded mines. This is an environmental disaster, but above all, it is something that belongs to the Ukrainian people," Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy also emphasized that Ukraine has strategically important minerals, particularly in the central part of the country, which are the basis of the economy, such as titanium, uranium, and manganese. "This is money, this is our land, and this is big money. Today, it is under occupation. It is very expensive for us," he emphasized.
The President also mentioned the importance of the shelf in the Black Sea, which is currently under occupation. "We have a shelf in the Black Sea, and today it is under occupation," he added.
"We have started to show in detail what we have. Yes, for the media without classified objects, but they are very serious. As an example, when it comes to uranium or titanium, we are the largest in Europe, at least in these areas. It is important to protect this so that it does not go to the Russians for free or to others to whom the Russians can give it - Iran or North Korea can be given for debts, for some kind of support, China, etc. We are not ready to just give it away," Zelenskyy emphasized.
