This study examines the impact of the Ukraine war on the global trade of rare-earth elements (REE) and related critical metals (Nb, Ta, Sc, Co, Pd), a topic of increasing relevance given the world’s dependence on these minerals for the production of key technologies such as batteries, solar panels, and electric vehicles. Although Ukraine is not a major REE producer, the conflict closed two key logistics routes (the Trans-Siberian railway and the port of Mariupol) that handled 12% of Asia-Europe REE flow, pushing transport costs up 19% in 2022–2023 (IEA, 2023).The research highlights how the war has intensified geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning China’s dominance in rare earth production and supply. In response, major powers such as the United States and the European Union have accelerated efforts to diversify their supply sources and reduce reliance on Beijing. This article also addresses the growing vulnerability of global supply chains, which the conflict has further exposed. Countries involved in rare earth trade are prioritizing source diversification by increasing investments in domestic mining, recycling, and the development of new technologies to ensure the availability of these critical materials. The sustainability of rare earth mining has emerged as a key concern, given the significant environmental risks associated with intensive extraction. The chapter emphasizes that the future of rare earth trade will depend on balancing growing demand with more responsible extraction practices and improved environmental impact management. Furthermore, the study analyzes how the war has accelerated the need for international collaboration to prevent market concentration in the hands of a few countries, promoting a more equitable and secure distribution of these resources. In the long term, rare earth recycling and the exploration of new supply sources in regions such as Africa and Latin America could play a crucial role in mitigating geopolitical tensions. In conclusion, the Ukraine war has transformed rare earth trade from a technical issue into a global geopolitical challenge, driving the need for changes in trade dynamics and environmental policies while laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and cooperative rare earth market in the future. The war has generated measurable disruptions: Closure of the Black Sea logistics corridor and of the China-Europe railway via Ukraine, which previously carried rare-earth concentrates from Russia and Kazakhstan to Poland and Germany (UIC, 2023).
Forced re-routing of Russian exports: before February 2022, 74% of Russian strategic-mineral exports (including Nb, Ta, Sc) were destined for the EU-Japan-Korea; in 2023, 68% were redirected to China-India-Türkiye (UN Comtrade, HS-2846/2849).
Transit-time increase from 22 to 41 days for the Moscow-Rotterdam flow via Caucasus and Türkiye (Drewry, 2024).
