On Monday, President Donald Trump expressed his desire to strike an agreement with Ukraine to secure access to the country’s rare earth materials as a condition for continued U.S. support in its conflict with Russia.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump noted that the U.S. had provided more military and economic aid to Ukraine than its European allies.

He stated, “We’re looking to make a deal with Ukraine where they will secure what we’re providing them with their rare earth materials and other resources.”

Trump indicated that he had received assurances from the Ukrainian government that they would be open to an arrangement granting the U.S. access to these elements, which are essential for the modern high-tech economy.

“I want to have security of rare earth,” Trump added Monday. “We’re putting in hundreds of billions of dollars. They have great rare earth. And I want security of the rare earth, and they’re willing to do it.”

More to follow.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

On Monday, President Donald Trump expressed his desire to strike an agreement with Ukraine to secure access to the country’s rare earth materials as a condition for continued U.S. support in its conflict with Russia.