Putin Open to U.S. Investment in Strategic Resources Amid Occupation of Ukraine

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his openness to U.S. investments in strategic minerals located in occupied Ukraine.

In a televised address, Putin stated that Russia is prepared to collaborate with «foreign partners, including Americans,» to explore reserves of rare and rare earth metals, specifically in areas he referred to as «our new regions,» which pertain to territories in Ukraine under Russian control.

U.S. President Donald Trump is advocating for Ukraine to finalize an agreement that would grant privileged access to its valuable mineral reserves.

Following a meeting with his cabinet regarding Russia’s supply of critically important rare and rare earth minerals, Putin provided insights in an interview, emphasizing that Russia holds a significant advantage in global reserves compared to Ukraine and insisted that «more should be done» to utilize these resources.

«We would be pleased to engage with any foreign partners, including Americans,» he noted, mentioning several areas such as Siberia and the Russian Far East where these rare elements can be found.

«We are also open to involving foreign partners in what we refer to as our new territories—historically significant regions that are now back under Russian sovereignty,» Putin remarked, alluding to the areas of Ukraine that Russia has taken during its invasion.

He confirmed that companies from the U.S. and Russia are currently «in touch» and discussing collaborative economic initiatives related to the situation in Ukraine.