Janice R. Andrews
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed interest in allowing U.S. companies to conduct mining operations for rare-earth minerals in Ukrainian territories under Russian control. During a state television interview on Monday, Putin highlighted Russia’s abundant mineral resources and encouraged foreign investment across multiple sectors including microelectronics, energy, and digital infrastructure.
“We would be happy to cooperate with any foreign partners, including American companies,” Putin said, noting that discussions with American businesses are already underway.
These statements follow reports that U.S. officials proposed giving American companies access to Ukraine’s rare-earth mineral deposits as a potential offset for the billions in aid provided to Kyiv. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Vice President J.D. Vance recently held peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that reportedly included discussions of economic incentives.
Putin suggested that removing sanctions against Russia could enhance economic relations, claiming Moscow could supply 2 million tonnes of raw materials to the United States without significantly affecting global market prices.
In his remarks, Putin also praised former U.S. President Donald Trump’s negotiation approach, suggesting that financial incentives might play a role in resolving the conflict.
