US and Russia could cooperate on resources post-conflict
Steve Witkoff, Trump's envoy, suggested the possibility of US cooperation with Russia in resource extraction following the resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, reports Fox News.
During an appearance on Fox News, Steve Witkoff, former envoy for US President Donald Trump, discussed potential economic cooperation between the United States and Russia. Witkoff highlighted the possibility of cooperation in extracting natural resources, including rare earth metals, after the Russian-Ukrainian conflict ends.
"Well, the mineral rights in Ukraine are quite extensive, but, by the way, they are quite extensive in Russia. And I think there will be plenty of opportunities for the US with Russia when this peace deal [on ending the Russia-Ukraine war] gets finished," said Steve Witkoff on Fox News.
The American envoy was questioned about the possibility of extracting rare earth metals in Russia. "I think there will be plenty of economic cooperation opportunities between the two countries. Yes," he clarified.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also addressed the topic, emphasizing that Russia possesses significant rare earth metal resources. "The Americans need rare earth metals. We have a lot of them," Peskov said on Tuesday. He added that Russia has its "own plans to develop strategic resources, but there are quite broad prospects for cooperation here."
US-Ukraine agreement
The full version of the document has already appeared online. It outlines the creation of a Reconstruction Fund to support the rebuilding of Ukraine and stabilize its economy. The fund will be financed primarily from revenues obtained from Ukrainian natural resources like oil, gas, and minerals, with 50% directed into its account. Additionally, financial support from the US is planned in the form of monetary resources and financial instruments.
Mykhailo Podolyak announced that the new agreement with the US on mineral resources would include key annexes.
"I want us to correctly focus from the beginning. There is a lot of speculation regarding this agreement (on mineral resources - PAP). However, it is a framework document that opens the way to a strategic partnership with the United States," emphasized Podolyak.
