EU enlargement partners critical raw materials: strategic reserves, public risks and ESG challenges (iss.europa.eu)

• Ukraine holds 26 of 34 EU-identified CRMs, with Europe's largest graphite, titanium and manganese deposits, but access constrained by Russian occupation.
• Serbia's Jadar lithium project faces widespread public opposition (63.5% against in March 2025), currently in care-and-maintenance phase.
• EU should develop local value chains in partners to avoid neo-colonial perceptions and counter Chinese/US influence.

"The EU's green and digital transitions depend on critical raw materials (CRMs) largely supplied by China and Turkey. Enlargement partners Ukraine and Western Balkan countries hold substantial CRM reserves, including 26 of 34 EU-identified materials in Ukraine. However, mining projects face significant public opposition, governance risks, and competition from China and the US. The EU must invest in local value chains, uphold strict ESG standards, and integrate CRM partnerships with enlargement conditionality to avoid neo-colonial perceptions and achieve long-term economic security."