"Vance: U.S. Minerals Deal Over Troops for Ukraine's Security"

Vice President JD Vance has expressed skepticism towards Europe's plans for Ukraine's security, arguing that a U.S. minerals deal would provide a more robust security guarantee than troops from countries that haven't fought a war in decades. Vance, speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) 2025, emphasized the strategic importance of minerals in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Vance's comments come amid ongoing discussions among European leaders about the best way to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. While some have advocated for sending troops to bolster Ukraine's defenses, Vance believes that a U.S. minerals deal would be a more effective means of ensuring Ukraine's security. He argued that countries that haven't fought a war in 30 or 40 years may not be well-equipped to handle the challenges posed by the conflict in Ukraine.

The U.S. minerals deal that Vance is referring to likely involves the supply of critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, which are essential for the production of electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies, and other high-tech industries. The U.S. has significant reserves of these minerals, and a deal to supply them to Ukraine could help to strengthen the country's economy and technological capabilities, while also reducing its dependence on Russian energy.

Vance's comments also reflect a broader trend in U.S. foreign policy, which has increasingly focused on the strategic importance of critical minerals and other natural resources. The U.S. has been working to secure its supply chains for these materials, both to ensure its own economic and technological competitiveness and to counter the influence of rival powers such as China and Russia.

In the context of the conflict in Ukraine, a U.S. minerals deal could also serve as a means of countering Russian influence in the region. Russia is a major producer of natural resources, including oil, gas, and minerals, and has used its control over these resources to exert political and economic influence over other countries in the region. By providing Ukraine with access to critical minerals, the U.S. could help to reduce Ukraine's dependence on Russian resources and strengthen its economic and political independence.

Of course, a U.S. minerals deal is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to ensuring Ukraine's security and sovereignty. The country will also need continued military and diplomatic support from the international community, as well as a long-term strategy for rebuilding its economy and infrastructure. But