Staff Reports
Vladimir Putin recently decided to open his arms—albeit begrudgingly—to American investors, but there’s a catch: it seems he only wants them to come to Russia and the parts of Ukraine he has seized. This little tête-à-tête about rare-earth minerals couldn’t be better timed, considering that Donald Trump is busy ironing out a deal to develop Ukraine’s mineral wealth. Perhaps someone should tell Putin that the American dollars flowing into Ukraine are more welcome than those coming into his fortified palace.
The timing of the Kremlin’s latest realities appears to be no coincidence. It is well known that these rare-earth resources are becoming gold among minerals, especially with the U.S. military and tech sectors increasingly desperate for reliable, non-China sources. While Trump is maneuvering to ensure that American investment yields a return for taxpayers after years of supporting Ukraine’s defense against Putin’s aggression, the Russian leader seems to be trying to undermine such initiatives by pointing at his own mineral riches, which he claims are superior to those of Ukraine.
Interestingly enough, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has been dancing around the proposal from Trump, seems to be warming up to the idea of an agreement. Officials close to him recently claimed that the negotiations with the U.S. on mineral development are entering their final stages. It begs the question whether he really wants to cooperate or is just playing the international chess game to keep his options open. Meanwhile, Putin’s rhetoric about wanting to partner with “foreign investors” feels more like a veiled attempt to sow discord than a genuine invitation.
Rare-earth minerals are increasingly crucial in the modern economy, showing up everywhere from smartphones to military tech. Ironically, while the U.S. has been pressured to move away from Chinese mining, Putin wants to jump on the idea of American investment in his own mineral industry. But Americans should think twice before putting their hard-earned dollars into a country that doesn’t think twice about invading its neighbors. Could this be a subterfuge by Putin to create the illusion of partnership while continuing to spread his shadow over Ukraine?
Putin Tries to Undercut Zelensky Deal by Offering U.S. Minerals from Conquered Ukraine https://t.co/HL2mWQLBia via @BreitbartNews
— Michael J. Fell (@MichaelJFell) February 26, 2025
To add a layer of complexity, the Communist Chinese have been the dominant player in the rare-earth game for years. They’re equipped with the most significant mining capabilities, and there’s nothing more appealing to them than to see the U.S. entangled in an untrustworthy deal with a desperate Ukraine. If the U.S. starts pouring resources into Ukraine, it’s possible they could run smack into China’s strategic ambitions and ruin a lucrative partnership before it even begins.
As negotiations continue, one can only hope that American leaders will keep their eyes on the prize—ensuring that American interests are paramount while navigating this minefield. No more free handouts to corrupt regimes, no more slipping into financial commitments that serve only to destabilize the economy. If the U.S. is going to play ball, the agreement better guarantee the American people get a fair shake. After all, in a game of international influence and power, the last thing anyone needs is a “historic territory” turning into another expensive foreign endeavor.
