Ukraine has proposed joint extraction of rare earth metals – uranium, lithium and titanium – to the European Union (EU), Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal said in an interview with Politico.
According to the prime minister, by agreeing to Ukraine’s accession, EU countries wouldn’t just be expanding their own borders and boundaries: “They would be gaining reliable defenders with extensive military experience, ready to be the first to take a hit not only from Russia, but from other possible military and political groups on Europe’s eastern borders.”
“Ukraine’s subsoil contains 22 out of the 30 minerals listed as critical for the EU. It ranks first in Europe in terms of uranium ore reserves, having the ability to meet its own energy needs as well as export uranium — especially as demand for nuclear power in Europe is on the rise,” Shmyhal said.
