On February 3, 2025, in a statement from the Oval Office, U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized the importance of Ukraine providing rare earth minerals to the United States as a condition for continued aid. He asserted that these minerals are essential for technological innovations, including electric vehicles and advanced aircraft.
Trump criticized former President Joe Biden for not demanding anything in return for the substantial financial aid provided to Ukraine, which has exceeded $180 billion since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022. He expressed concerns that the European Union's support for Ukraine does not match that of the U.S., suggesting a need for rebalancing the contributions.
In related developments, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte addressed EU leaders in Brussels, reinforcing the significance of the transatlantic relationship for European security. He highlighted the necessity for NATO and the EU to work more closely together in response to growing security challenges.
Rutte urged for increased military assistance to Ukraine and emphasized the importance of long-term commitments for the country's recovery and reconstruction. He also noted that the NATO alliance is reassessing its collective defense spending targets, which are currently set at a minimum of 2% of GDP, indicating that future goals will likely exceed this threshold.