Ukraine’s trove of rare earths and other critical minerals remains in the spotlight after an extraordinary White House clash between President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky.

There are warnings too that a deal allowing the US access to Ukraine's vast mineral wealth cannot happen unless the country addresses its problem with unexploded mines. A quarter of Ukraine's landmass is estimated to be contaminated with landmines, mainly concentrated in the war-torn east of the country.

Volodymyr Zelensky met with President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, both of whom castigated him during a meeting at the White House.