Steve Witkoff, a top Trump envoy, has suggested that the U.S. may consider mineral resource cooperation with Russia once a Ukraine peace deal is secured.
Potential U.S.-Russia Mineral Partnership
"I think there will be plenty of opportunities for the U.S. and Russia once a peace agreement brings an end to the Ukraine conflict," Witkoff, President Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, said in an interview with Fox News on February 27.
When asked whether he was referring to mining projects in Russia, Witkoff responded, "I think there will be a lot of economic cooperation possibilities between our countries. Absolutely."
His remarks come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky prepares to meet Trump in Washington to sign a U.S.-Ukraine mineral extraction agreement. Witkoff indicated that beyond Ukraine’s natural resources, the Trump administration is highly interested in Russia’s vast mineral reserves, saying the potential for collaboration is "very broad."
Witkoff’s Key Role in U.S.-Russia Talks
Witkoff’s comments have drawn attention because he holds significant influence in negotiations with both Russia and Ukraine.
Earlier this month, he traveled to Moscow just before the release of American citizen Marc Fogel, who had been imprisoned in Russia. He was also part of the U.S. delegation that met with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia on February 18.
Witkoff further claimed that he has developed a strong working relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin following his recent visit to Moscow.
Putin Signals Interest in Mineral Deals
On February 24, Putin publicly stated that Russia is open to foreign partnerships in rare-earth mineral extraction, including in the territories Russia annexed from Ukraine during the conflict.
Meanwhile, Trump has left open the possibility of negotiating a major minerals deal with Moscow, though he denied speculation that the White House and Kremlin have already discussed mining rights in Russian-controlled Ukrainian territories.
"I would also like to buy minerals from Russia if possible," Trump said. "They have excellent rare-earth resources. It would be a win-win for both sides since we have the capability to execute the contracts."
Behind-the-Scenes Discussions in Saudi Arabia
According to NBC News, two sources familiar with the matter revealed that Putin’s senior aides floated the idea of U.S.-Russia mineral cooperation during the February 18 meeting in Saudi Arabia.
The Trump administration has neither committed to nor ruled out the proposal, according to the sources.
Russia’s Vast Mineral Reserves
The U.S. Geological Survey ranks Russia as the world's fifth-largest holder of rare-earth mineral reserves, behind China, Brazil, India, and Australia.
Additionally, the four Ukrainian regions annexed by Russia—Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—contain an estimated $350 billion in untapped resources, according to Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.
(Sources: Fox News, Pravda, Kyiv Independent)
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