Part 7/9:
The apparent valuation of Ukraine's mineral wealth is tantalizing yet perplexing. Trump has claimed that the country possesses $500 billion in rare earth minerals alone, while other estimates have suggested figures reaching as high as $26 trillion. However, many experts believe these numbers are not credible. The pricing of lithium, for example, has plummeted significantly in recent years, casting doubt on the financial viability of these deposits.
The former director of the Ukrainian Geological Survey has noted that modern assessments of rare earth reserves have not been conducted. Consequently, estimates mainly derive from outdated Soviet-era data, emphasizing the volatility and uncertainty surrounding Ukraine's mineral potential.