Russia, US Discuss Rare Earth Minerals Deal Amid Ukraine Tensions

U.S. and Russia have initiated negotiations on a rare earth minerals deal, as confirmed by Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund. This development follows President Trump's strong criticism of President Putin over his remarks on Ukrainian leadership, which Trump believes could hinder peace negotiations. Alongside these discussions, Trump is also pursuing a minerals agreement with Ukraine, which includes provisions for Ukraine to reimburse U.S. aid since the start of the invasion in 2022. Both sides have indicated a commitment to advancing these talks, with U.S. companies expressing interest in Russian rare earth projects. The next round of U.S.-Russia discussions is anticipated to take place in Saudi Arabia soon. The geopolitical context surrounding these negotiations remains tense, particularly with ongoing conflicts in Ukraine.