Russia Offers US Access to Rare Minerals, Including from Occupied Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia is willing to share its rare minerals with the United States. This comes after US President Donald Trump pushed for Ukraine to give up some of its own minerals in exchange for support.
Putin made his comments on state TV, saying that Russia can work with “foreign partners” on mining minerals, including those found in occupied eastern Ukraine. He also suggested that Russia and the US could collaborate on aluminium production in Siberia.
Russia has a lot of rare earth minerals, which are needed by the US. Putin’s proposal follows a cabinet meeting on Russia’s natural resources.
Ukraine is facing pressure from the Trump administration to sign a deal for access to its mineral deposits. Kyiv estimates that about 5% of the world’s critical raw materials are in Ukraine, but some of these minerals have been seized by Russia since it invaded the country three years ago.
Trump wants the US to have access to Ukrainian minerals worth $500bn. However, Ukraine has disputed this figure and is also seeking security guarantees as part of any deal.
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