US Open to Minerals Deal with Russia, Envoy Says
The US is interested in a minerals deal with Russia once a peace agreement is reached, said Steve Witkoff, the US President’s envoy to the Middle East.
This comes as Ukraine and the US prepare to sign a critical minerals agreement on February 28. The US wants to explore Ukraine’s mineral resources and also sees opportunities for cooperation with Russia.
Witkoff believes that once the war ends, there will be many economic cooperation opportunities between the US and Russia. He thinks that the US can buy minerals from Russian land too.
Russia has said it is open to working with foreign partners on developing rare earth metal deposits, including in occupied regions of Ukraine. This is a significant shift in foreign policy for the US, which has been looking to increase cooperation with Russia despite deteriorating relations.
Witkoff has emerged as a key figure in negotiations between the US and Russia. He met Putin during a visit to Moscow earlier this month and participated in talks in Saudi Arabia on February 18. No Ukrainian officials were present at these talks.
Some experts think that Witkoff’s increased role reflects Russia’s belief that Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, has stronger pro-Ukrainian views.
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