On February 28, 2025, a highly significant event took place at the Oval Office in the White House, where U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelensky held a press conference.
Zelensky was there to congratulate Trump on his election victory, explain the critical situation Ukraine was facing, and ultimately sign a mining agreement worth $500 billion.
However, in front of the entire world, an unexpected and unconventional situation unfolded.
When Zelensky stated that before signing the mining deal, Ukraine’s territorial integrity and certain guarantees needed to be ensured, chaos erupted. Following this statement, Zelensky was reportedly asked to leave the White House immediately. Subsequently, the U.S. canceled the project for the renewal of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and suspended all military aid.
This incident should not be viewed as a simple diplomatic misstep; rather, it should be seen as a deeply premeditated and strategic maneuver.
Before delving into an evaluation of the situation, it is beneficial to revisit some critical facts about Ukraine:
Important Background on Ukraine:
Ukraine is one of the world’s leading countries in terms of both the size and diversity of its mineral reserves.
It possesses around 8,000 identified mineral deposits covering approximately 20 economically significant and around 90 different types of minerals, with about half of these deposits currently being exploited.
Key resources include
• Iron ore (accounting for 40% of Soviet production during the Soviet era)
• Manganese ore (50% of Soviet production)
• Mercury, titanium, and nickel ores
Ukraine’s estimated reserves:
• 47.1 billion tons of coal
• 28 million tons of iron ore
• 3 million tons of manganese ore
• 1.5 billion tons of chalk and limestone
In addition to its mining wealth, Ukraine is a major agricultural power, producing grain, potatoes, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, and soybeans.
Ukraine holds one-third of the world’s most fertile black soil, which makes it one of the top global grain exporters.
Rare Earth Elements (REE) and Their Strategic Importance:
The core of the mining deal that caused friction between Trump and Zelensky involved rare earth elements (REEs).
REEs consist of 17 elements: the 15 lanthanides plus yttrium (Y) and scandium (Sc).
Although “rare” in name, some of these elements are relatively abundant but difficult and costly to extract.
They are divided into:
• Light Rare Earth Elements (Sc, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm)
• Heavy Rare Earth Elements (Y, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu)
Applications of REEs:
• Hybrid and electric vehicles
• Wind turbines
• Solar panels
• MRI machines
• Military technologies (missiles, radars, jet engines)
REEs are vital for the green energy transition and advanced technological industries.
Due to China’s near-monopoly over global REE production (accounting for 60-70% of mining and 90% of refining capacity), the U.S. seeks alternative sources — Ukraine being a potential candidate.
Ukraine’s Rare Earth Element (REE) Potential:
Ukraine possesses significant rare earth element (REE) reserves, particularly in its eastern and central regions.
Key REE resource areas include:
• Dnipropetrovsk Oblast: Phosphate deposits containing REEs have been identified.
• Kirovohrad Oblast: Rich in zirconium, tantalum, niobium, and strategic metals along with REEs.
• Volyn and Zhytomyr Regions: Known for granite and pegmatite deposits containing REEs.
• Donbas Basin: Traces of REEs found in coal beds.
Additionally:
• Ukraine hosts 21 out of the 30 critical raw materials identified by the European Union.
• Significant portions of these resources lie beneath Russian-occupied territories, particularly under the Azov Sea.
• Nevertheless, promising projects remain in regions such as Kyiv, Vinnytsia, and Zhytomyr.
Ukraine also has substantial lithium resources, estimated at around 450,000 tons.
Some lithium deposits are under Russian control, while others, particularly in the Kirovohrad region, remain under Ukrainian administration.
Lithium, alongside REEs, represents a vital strategic asset for future economic and energy transitions.
Why Is the United States Interested in Ukraine’s Mineral Resources?
The United States’ keen interest in Ukraine’s mineral wealth, especially rare earth elements, stems from several strategic and economic factors:
1. Strategic and Economic Value:
REEs are crucial for high-tech industries, defense, renewable energy, and medical technologies. Accessing new sources would significantly strengthen U.S. economic and technological security.
2. Reducing Dependency on China:
China currently dominates REE production globally. The U.S. aims to diversify supply chains to reduce vulnerability in critical sectors.
3. Geopolitical Competition:
Amid the Russia-Ukraine war, securing Ukrainian resources would allow the U.S. to challenge China’s and Russia’s influence while supporting Ukraine’s integration with the West.
4. Defense Industry Needs:
REEs are indispensable for the production of missile systems, radar technologies, aircraft engines, and other military technologies.
Ensuring secure access to these materials is a national security priority for the United States.
5. Sharing Ukraine’s Economic Potential:
Gaining access to Ukraine’s mining sector would enhance the U.S.’s long-term strategic and economic influence in the region.
In summary, the U.S.’s interest in Ukraine’s mineral resources is driven by a blend of economic security, geopolitical strategy, and technological competition with China and Russia.
Psychological Analysis of Leaders
Psychological Profile of Donald Trump:
Numerous experts have analyzed Donald Trump’s personality and leadership style using psychological theories and personality assessments.
Here are some major observed characteristics:
1. Narcissistic Personality Traits:
Trump often displays tendencies such as excessive self-praise and the constant need for admiration, which are typical of narcissistic personalities.
Key traits include:
◦ Seeing himself as superior to others
◦ Struggling to accept criticism
◦ Seeking constant admiration and validation
2. Impulsive and Risk-Taking Behavior:
Trump is known for making rapid, sometimes uncalculated decisions and taking significant risks, both in business and politics.
His impulsivity is reflected in aggressive behavior patterns and quick anger outbursts.
3. Charismatic and Populist Leadership Style:
Trump connects emotionally with his supporters, positioning himself as a representative of the common people.
His leadership style is charismatic, using emotional appeals and simple, relatable language.
4. Competitive and Authoritarian Tendencies:
Trump shows a strong inclination toward winning at all costs and maintaining absolute authority.
His leadership often reflects an authoritarian preference, suppressing opposition when necessary.
5. Empathy Deficit and Manipulative Communication:
Some experts argue that Trump displays limited empathy and often resorts to manipulative tactics in communication, excelling at influencing and persuading audiences while reacting defensively to criticism.
Conclusion:
Donald Trump’s psychological profile reveals a complex, multidimensional character marked by narcissistic, impulsive, competitive, and populist tendencies. His charisma enables him to connect deeply with supporters, even as his impulsivity and authoritarian tendencies complicate traditional political norms.
Psychological Profile of Volodymyr Zelensky:
Volodymyr Zelensky’s leadership style and crisis management capabilities have drawn significant attention, particularly during the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
His psychological traits include
1. Charismatic and Empathetic Leadership:
Zelensky, originally a comedian and actor, possesses high emotional intelligence and an ability to build strong public connections.
He communicates authentically, understanding and addressing the emotions and needs of his people.
2. Resilience and Stress Management:
Zelensky demonstrated remarkable resilience by remaining in Ukraine despite the imminent threats during the Russian invasion.
He maintains calm decision-making under extreme pressure and shows a high capacity for psychological endurance.
3. Idealism and Motivational Character:
Zelensky consistently emphasizes ideals such as freedom, democracy, and national sovereignty, inspiring both domestic and international audiences.
4. Flexibility and Adaptability:
Transitioning from entertainment to politics, Zelensky quickly adapted to the political landscape, showcasing psychological flexibility and strategic thinking.
5. Balance Between Emotion and Strategy:
While openly expressing emotions during public addresses, Zelensky effectively uses emotional appeals as strategic tools to garner international support.
Conclusion:
Volodymyr Zelensky is a resilient, empathetic, charismatic, and motivational leader whose emotional intelligence and adaptability strengthen his leadership in times of crisis. However, his idealism sometimes risks disconnecting from harsh political realities.
Psychological Profile of Vladimir Putin:
Vladimir Putin’s background as a former KGB officer heavily influences his leadership style and decision-making processes.
1. Cold and Calculated Mindset:
Putin rarely displays emotions publicly and prefers long-term, strategic thinking over impulsive reactions.
His KGB background enables him to understand and manipulate human psychology effectively.
2. Power- and Control-Oriented Personality:
Putin’s leadership reflects a strong focus on centralized authority and the suppression of political opposition.
He views maintaining power as an essential priority.
3. Emotional Suppression and Distant Personality:
Putin maintains a reserved demeanor, controlling his emotions to sustain an image of strength and dominance.
4. Pragmatic and Opportunistic Leadership Style:
Pragmatism defines Putin’s approach: he prioritizes national interests over ideology, utilizing unexpected tactics to outmaneuver adversaries.
5. Emphasis on Masculine and Strong Leader Image:
Putin frequently presents himself in physically challenging or adventurous situations to project an image of strength and vitality.
6. Empathy Deficit and Readiness to Use Force:
Putin’s decision-making is highly strategic and often devoid of emotional considerations, favoring calculated and sometimes ruthless actions.
Conclusion:
Vladimir Putin is a cold, pragmatic, power-centric leader who combines long-term strategic planning with tactical opportunism. His leadership style emphasizes authority, emotional suppression, and strategic manipulation.
The Largest Economic War in History: The U.S. vs. China
Under Trump’s administration, the United States placed great emphasis on containing China’s growing influence.
Trump regarded China as the most significant strategic rival threatening America’s global economic and technological dominance.
Key points of this economic confrontation:
• Trade wars initiated through heavy tariffs on Chinese goods
• Restrictions on Chinese technology companies (Huawei, TikTok)
• Encouragement of reshoring industries back to the United States
• Strategic alliances to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative
The U.S. aims to limit China’s access to critical technologies and markets while simultaneously securing alternative sources for strategic materials like rare earth elements.
Maintaining Dollar Hegemony
For the United States, preserving the global dominance of the U.S. dollar is a non-negotiable priority.
Key facts about dollar dominance:
• Approximately 60% of all U.S. dollars circulate outside the U.S., effectively allowing the U.S. to finance its imports at minimal real cost.
• After the 2008 Financial Crisis and the 2020 Pandemic, the Federal Reserve injected trillions of dollars into the global economy, reinforcing the dollar’s supremacy.
• Any attempt by other powers (like the Eurozone or BRICS countries) to create an alternative global currency has been met with U.S. resistance.
Maintaining dollar dominance ensures that the U.S. continues to extract economic value from global markets without proportional domestic production — a critical pillar of American hegemony.
Without Mining Resources, Ukraine Cannot Enter NATO
A harsh geopolitical reality underlies Ukraine’s NATO ambitions:
Unless Ukraine grants access to its mining resources — especially rare earth elements — it is unlikely to gain full NATO membership.
The United States’ strategic interests in Ukraine’s mineral wealth are deeply tied to broader security guarantees and integration into Western alliances.
Moreover, behind closed doors, a U.S.-Russia agreement (though unofficial and speculative) may exist, wherein NATO expansion into Ukraine is indefinitely postponed in exchange for broader geopolitical compromises.
Weakening BRICS
The BRICS alliance (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — later joined by Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, and Saudi Arabia) represents a significant counterbalance to U.S. global influence.
With roughly half the world’s population, BRICS poses a credible challenge to dollar hegemony by exploring alternative financial systems.
By drawing Russia closer through backdoor diplomacy, the U.S. (under Trump’s leadership) may seek to undermine BRICS cohesion and prevent it from gaining further momentum.
Power Corrupts: The Risks of Absolute Authority
The psychological phenomenon known as “power corrupts” explains how unchecked authority alters leaders’ thinking and behavior over time.
Effects of power intoxication include:
• Detachment from reality
• Loss of empathy
• Overconfidence leading to strategic errors
• Moral decay
• Authoritarian behavior and communication breakdowns
Trump’s confrontational behavior toward Zelensky during their White House meeting and his aggressive new foreign policy agenda are manifestations of power intoxication.
Recent unusual demands — such as proposals to buy Greenland, control the Panama Canal, annex Canada, and evacuate Gaza for resort development — further illustrate the dangers of unchecked power.
The True Face of Modern Imperialism
Ultimately, the events surrounding Ukraine, the rare earth elements struggle, and U.S. geopolitical strategies expose the brutal realities of modern imperialism.
Global competition among nations is no longer fought solely with armies but through
• Technological supremacy
• Economic domination
• Resource control
• Corporate and financial influence
The fragmentation of rival states, the monopolization of critical resources, and the imposition of dependency through economic and political mechanisms are the true battlegrounds of 21st-century imperialism.
For Turkey and similar nations, the path forward lies in forming strong regional alliances (e.g., Turkic states) based on economic, political, and cultural solidarity.
Only through unity and strategic vision can smaller and medium-sized powers resist the exploitative tendencies of larger imperial forces.
Final Reflection
Every moment of comfort and prosperity enjoyed in major imperial centers often comes at the cost of suffering elsewhere — in the lives of children who die in cradles, expectant mothers who perish under bombardment, youths whose dreams are shattered, and nations whose futures are stolen. True awareness requires seeing the blood-stained foundation of this global order.
