Putin Proposes Rare Mineral Deal with US, Including Russian-Occupied Ukraine

Key Points of Putin’s Offer

• Joint Mining Projects: Putin stated he was open to partnering with US companies on extracting rare minerals in Russia’s "new territories", referring to parts of eastern Ukraine that Russia has occupied since its 2022 invasion.

• Aluminium Cooperation: He also suggested collaboration on aluminium production, potentially involving Krasnoyarsk, home to one of Russia’s largest aluminium smelters operated by Rusal.

• Russia’s Resource Advantage: Putin downplayed Ukraine’s significance in global mineral supplies, claiming that Russia has “significantly more” resources than Ukraine.

Response from the Kremlin

• Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the proposal an opportunity with "broad prospects," emphasizing that the US needs rare earth minerals, and Russia has them in abundance.

• This offer comes despite Putin’s past accusations that the West, particularly the US, sought to “dismember” Russia to exploit its natural resources.

The US-Ukraine Minerals Deal

• US President Donald Trump has been pressuring Ukraine to grant the US access to its mineral deposits in exchange for continued support, with negotiations nearing completion, according to Ukrainian officials.

• Ukraine’s Stance:

  • Kyiv estimates it holds about 5% of the world’s critical raw materials, but some of these deposits are now under Russian control.

  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly wants security guarantees included in any deal.

• The EU is also in talks with Ukraine for a similar mineral partnership, calling it a "win-win" arrangement.

What’s Next?

Putin’s unexpected offer raises questions about US strategy—will Washington consider collaborating with Russia on minerals while finalizing a deal with Ukraine? Meanwhile, Moscow’s control over Ukrainian resources remains a contentious geopolitical issue.

See more in: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gdx7488g5o