Part 5/18:
There are evident complexities regarding this negotiation. Much of Ukraine's mineral wealth lies in regions currently affected by conflict or under Russian control. Thus, any potential deal with the U.S. would necessitate a careful reassessment of territorial integrity, Ukrainian sovereignty, and the impact of recent territorial losses to Russia.
For the United States to reap the benefits of Ukraine's abundant resources, there is an implicit necessity for Ukraine to retain control over these areas. Failure to do so would mean that the minerals could be lost to Russian exploitation, putting the U.S. back at the mercy of Chinese control over most of the global supply of rare earth metals.