Abdelrahman
Putin Proposes Mineral Access to U.S. Amid Ongoing Ukraine Negotiations
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed willingness to provide the United States access to rare minerals, some of which are sourced from regions of Ukraine currently under Russian control. This development follows repeated calls from former U.S. President Donald Trump for Ukraine to concede portions of its mineral wealth in exchange for military and economic support.
During a televised interview, Putin indicated that Russia is prepared to collaborate with American partners on joint ventures, particularly in mining operations located in what he referred to as Russia’s "new territories," which includes areas of eastern Ukraine occupied since the onset of the full-scale invasion three years ago. Putin also highlighted the potential for U.S.-Russia cooperation in aluminum extraction, aiming to stabilize prices for this critical resource.
In his remarks, Putin responded directly to Trump’s interests in accessing Ukrainian mineral resources by stating that Russia is open to partnerships with foreign entities for mineral extraction. He emphasized that Russia possesses significantly greater mineral resources than Ukraine, thereby downplaying concerns about the proposed U.S.-Ukraine deal.
Putin elaborated that Russia’s "new territories" are also available for foreign investment, particularly in mining. He proposed potential collaboration with U.S. firms in aluminum production at smelting facilities in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, which houses one of Russia’s leading aluminum manufacturers, Rusal.
These comments came shortly after a cabinet meeting focused on enhancing Russia’s natural resource management. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov subsequently remarked that the proposal presents "broad prospects," noting the U.S. demand for rare earth minerals, a category in which Russia holds significant reserves.
This offer from Putin is noteworthy, particularly given the Kremlin’s historical emphasis on retaining control over Russia’s natural wealth. Earlier this year, Putin accused Western nations, particularly the U.S., of attempting to fragment Russia to gain access to its natural resources.
Amid these developments, Ukraine faces increasing pressure from the Trump administration to enter into an agreement regarding its mineral resources. Estimates suggest that Ukraine is home to approximately 5% of the world’s essential raw materials; however, some of these deposits have come under Russian control since the invasion began.
Trump noted that U.S. military and economic assistance to Ukraine has reached around $500 billion (£396 billion), advocating for American access to Ukrainian minerals that would reflect this valuation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has challenged this figure, insisting that any agreements must also include security assurances for Ukraine.
Olga Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, stated that negotiations regarding this mineral access deal have progressed constructively, with most key elements nearing finalization.
On a parallel front, the European Union has also sought a partnership with Ukraine to facilitate access to its mineral resources, which European Commissioner for industrial strategy Stéphane Séjourné described as a mutually beneficial arrangement.
