President Trump says he wants access to Ukraine's supply of rare earth minerals in exchange for American military aid for the country's war against Russia.

A shortage of infantry troops and supply routes under Russian drone attacks have dealt a blow to Ukrainian forces around the strategic eastern city of Pokrovsk.

President Donald Trump said he wants Ukraine to give the US rare earth metals in exchange for aid in its war with Russia. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday, the president said he wanted to get guarantees on a supply of "very valuable rare earth" materials from Ukraine in return for US military equipment.