US President Donald Trump has signaled his openness to a rare earth minerals deal with Russia, following an offer from President Vladimir Putin. The proposal, announced by Putin on February 24, suggests that Moscow is willing to collaborate with Washington in developing mineral deposits in Russian-controlled territories, including Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye. Trump’s response, delivered at the White House on February 26, indicates a growing interest in securing these strategic resources, potentially marking a major shift in US-Russia economic relations.

Rare earth minerals are critical for a variety of industries, including defense, technology, and energy. The US has long been dependent on imports for these essential materials, particularly from China, which dominates global production. Trump’s interest in Russian minerals suggests a strategic maneuver to diversify US supply chains and reduce dependence on Beijing.

“I’d like to buy minerals on Russian land, too, if we can… They have very good rare earths, also, and oil and gas. Look, it’s a great thing,” Trump stated. “It’s great for Russia, too, because we could do deals there. They have very valuable land that isn’t utilized. So something like that could take place, yeah.”

Putin has emphasized that while Russia will prioritize domestic development of rare earth resources due to their strategic importance, cooperation with international partners, including the US, remains on the table. This potential collaboration could open up new avenues for trade and economic engagement between the two nations.

Trump’s push for access to rare earth minerals extends beyond Russia. He has also been pressing Ukraine for significant concessions in exchange for continued US support. Trump has demanded up to $500 billion in natural resources from Ukraine as compensation for aid already provided to Kiev during the ongoing conflict.

Reports indicate that, after months of negotiations and delays, Ukraine has agreed to the deal, with President Volodymyr Zelensky expected to visit Washington on February 28 to formalize the agreement. “I hear that he’s coming on Friday. Certainly, it’s okay with me if he’d like to sign it together with me, and I understand that’s a big deal, very big deal… the American taxpayer now is going to get their money back plus,” Trump remarked.

This move signals a shift in US policy under Trump, positioning Washington as an economic stakeholder in Ukraine’s vast natural resources rather than simply a donor of financial and military aid. Ukraine is home to significant mineral deposits, including Europe’s largest reserves of titanium and lithium, which are crucial for military and technological applications. Additionally, the country possesses deposits of beryllium, manganese, gallium, uranium, zirconium, graphite, apatite, fluorite, and nickel.

Putin, in response to Trump’s moves, has asserted that Moscow remains focused on its own economic priorities and that any US-Ukraine rare earths deal does not concern Russia. In an interview with Rossiya 1 TV, Putin downplayed the significance of Ukraine’s mineral wealth, suggesting that the actual value of these resources remains uncertain.

Before the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022, Forbes Ukraine estimated that the country’s mineral resources were worth approximately $14.8 trillion, with coal and iron ore accounting for the bulk of its reserves. However, over 70% of these resources are concentrated in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, which declared independence from Ukraine in 2014 following the Western-backed Maidan coup in Kiev. These regions officially joined Russia in 2022 after widely contested referendums.

Putin’s offer to collaborate with the US on rare earths, despite tensions between the two countries, suggests that Moscow is looking for pragmatic economic engagements while maintaining its strategic priorities. However, it remains unclear how the US government would navigate a deal with Russia given the existing sanctions regime and ongoing geopolitical confrontations.

If Trump’s proposal were to materialize, it could have far-reaching geopolitical consequences. The US has long sought to limit Russian economic influence, and a rare earths partnership would be a significant departure from current policy. Washington’s European allies, many of whom have imposed economic sanctions on Russia, might view such a deal with skepticism.

Additionally, China, which currently dominates the global rare earths market, could perceive a US-Russia collaboration as a direct challenge to its control over these strategic resources. Beijing has already shown its willingness to leverage rare earth supplies as a geopolitical tool, previously restricting exports to nations with which it has diplomatic disputes.

For Ukraine, Trump’s demands for resource compensation put Zelensky’s government in a difficult position. While securing continued US support is critical for Kiev’s war effort, surrendering control over valuable mineral assets could generate domestic backlash and further complicate Ukraine’s post-war recovery. Ukrainian nationalists and political opposition groups may see such an agreement as a betrayal of sovereignty.

Despite Trump’s enthusiasm for a rare earths deal, significant obstacles remain. The US and Russia are currently entangled in a complex web of sanctions, diplomatic tensions, and competing strategic interests. Any collaboration would require extensive negotiations and regulatory adjustments.

Furthermore, the logistical and technical challenges of developing and extracting rare earth minerals in conflict-affected regions pose additional hurdles. Infrastructure, security, and environmental considerations all play a role in determining the feasibility of such projects.

Moreover, political dynamics within the US could impact the viability of Trump’s vision. Given the deep divisions in Washington over policy toward Russia, any effort to engage in resource deals with Moscow would likely face pushback from Congress, especially from lawmakers who advocate for a hardline stance against the Kremlin.

Trump’s push for rare earths deals with Russia and Ukraine underscores his transactional approach to foreign policy. His willingness to engage with Russia on economic matters while simultaneously pressuring Ukraine for resource compensation highlights his focus on securing tangible returns for American investments in global conflicts.

However, the feasibility of such deals remains uncertain. The geopolitical landscape is fraught with complexities, and potential backlash from both domestic and international actors could derail these efforts. Still, Trump’s proposal signals a pragmatic-if controversial-shift in US strategy, prioritizing economic interests over ideological conflicts.

As Trump continues to shape his policy platform, his approach to rare earths and resource diplomacy will remain a key area to watch. Whether his vision materializes into actionable agreements or remains a rhetorical maneuver will depend on a delicate balance of economic incentives, political will, and geopolitical realities.

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