Trump envoy hints at US‑Russia resource collaboration post-conflict
Steve Witkoff, Trump's envoy, suggested the possibility of US cooperation with Russia in resource extraction after the end of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Fox News reports.
During a conversation on Fox News, Steve Witkoff, former US President Donald Trump's envoy, discussed the potential for economic cooperation between the United States and Russia. Witkoff pointed to the possibility of collaborating in the extraction of natural resources, including rare earth metals, once the Russia-Ukraine conflict concludes.
- 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 asked about the potential for 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 commented on the matter, emphasizing that Russia possesses significant rare earth metal resources. - The Americans need rare earth metals. We have a lot of them - said the Kremlin spokesperson 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 proposes the creation of a Reconstruction Fund to support the rebuilding of Ukraine and stabilize its economy. The fund will be financed mainly by revenues from Ukrainian natural resources such as oil, gas, and minerals, with 50% of these revenues going 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 set the focus right away. There is a lot of speculation around 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.
