Brussels, February 27, 2025 – The European Commission will announce a series of “very concrete projects” related to critical Ukrainian materials in March, according to Vice-President of the European Executive Stéphane Séjourné.
The move follows Ukraine’s recent acceptance of a preliminary minerals agreement with the United States, reinforcing the country’s strategic role in global supply chains.
Séjourné made the announcement on Wednesday during a press briefing in Brussels, emphasizing that the European Union is committed to advancing its partnership with Ukraine in the raw materials sector.
He reiterated the importance of implementing the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on critical raw materials, which has been in place since 2021.
“We already have several projects that can be labelled as European, some of which we can reveal as early as March,” Séjourné stated. He highlighted the urgency of turning diplomatic agreements into tangible initiatives that can benefit both the EU and Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Role in European Resource Security
Ukraine is home to significant deposits of critical raw materials, including manganese, titanium, and graphite.
The country also claims to possess one of the largest lithium reserves in Europe, a resource crucial for battery production and the broader green transition.
Given the EU’s increasing demand for these materials, Ukraine is set to play a pivotal role in reducing Europe’s reliance on external suppliers, particularly from China.
One of the projects under discussion is a graphite mining initiative that could supply up to 10% of Europe’s graphite consumption by 2030, Séjourné revealed.
Graphite is an essential component in electric vehicle batteries and other renewable energy technologies, making it a strategic asset for Europe’s push towards clean energy.
Strategic Cooperation Amid Geopolitical Challenges
The EU’s growing partnership with Ukraine in the mineral sector aligns with broader geopolitical strategies to secure critical supply chains.
The war in Ukraine and global trade disruptions have underscored the need for Europe to diversify its sourcing of essential raw materials.
Ukraine’s recent preliminary minerals agreement with the United States further cements its position as a key player in international resource markets.
The EU, keen on strengthening its own economic security, sees the implementation of the 2021 MoU as a step towards deeper collaboration with Kyiv.
“We are building a relationship based on win-win conditions with the Ukrainian government,” Séjourné said, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to providing investment and technology transfers in exchange for stable access to these resources.
Next Steps: EU’s March Announcement
The EU’s forthcoming announcement in March is expected to detail specific investment and development projects in Ukraine’s critical minerals sector.
While Séjourné did not disclose further details, analysts anticipate that the projects will focus on extraction, refining, and infrastructure development to integrate Ukraine more fully into Europe’s supply chain.
With European industries increasingly reliant on stable access to raw materials, the EU’s partnership with Ukraine could mark a significant step toward securing the continent’s economic and technological future.
The coming months will reveal how these projects unfold amid the ongoing geopolitical and economic challenges facing both Europe and Ukraine.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
