Estonia has expressed readiness to offer rare earth metals to the US in exchange for aid

Estonia may offer rare-earth metals to the United States in exchange for aid from Washington. This was stated by Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna on February 12, as quoted by ERR TV and radio company.

Tsahkna answered a journalist's question about what Estonia could offer in exchange for aid from Washington.

"It is not in America's interests, but in our interests. <...> what can we offer? We can offer the US interesting, effective economic relations," ERR quoted him as saying.

Tsahkna noted that the US has been interested in Estonia's rare earth metals for several years and now the country is facing the question of how to utilize these minerals without harming the environment.

"This is exactly the kind of bold geopolitical decision that Estonia should make and that will put us in a very strong position in relations with the administration of [U.S. President Donald] Trump. It will put us as a very clear and very strong point on the map," Tsahkna noted.

Asked by a journalist whether Tallinn had held any talks with Washington on the topic of minerals, Tsahkna said the talks were so far "at an abstract level." He said Estonia must first develop a strategy to maximize the processing of minerals in the country.

Trump said on February 3 that in exchange for financial and military aid, Washington expects Ukraine to guarantee supplies of rare earth metals. He emphasized that the United States would require the EU to increase funding for Kiev's support.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on 6 February that the US president's words about continued assistance to Kiev in return for Ukraine's rare-earth metals were more reminiscent of an "aport" command than a deal.

On February 8, US President Donald Trump said in an interview with the New York Post that Washington would give Kiev security guarantees in any potential peace settlement in exchange for access to rare earth metals and gas. The US President estimated the value of the deal at $500 million.