Russia and US negotiate joint projects on rare earth metals extraction

Russian Presidential Envoy for International Cooperation Kirill Dmitriev has announced the beginning of Russia-US talks on joint projects to extract rare earth metals.

Source: Dmitriev's interview with the Russian propaganda outlet Izvestia

Details: Dmitriev, who is also the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), stated that the talks between Moscow and Washington concern rare earth metals, which he described as an important area of cooperation between the two countries. He emphasised that the discussions are not limited to metals but also include other projects in Russia.

"Rare earth metals are an important area for cooperation and we have certainly begun discussions on various rare earth metals and projects in Russia," Dmitriev said.

Following talks between the US and Ukraine on a possible mineral deal, Russian leader Vladimir Putin proposed that the US jointly explore Russian deposits of rare earth metals as part of a future economic agreement between the countries.

Dmitriev also stated that some companies had expressed interest in participating in such projects, although he did not disclose specific companies or additional details.

Izvestia claimed that the issue of cooperation could be further discussed during the next round of US-Russia talks, which is expected to take place in mid-April in Saudi Arabia.

Background: 

• Trump stated in an interview with Fox News on 18 March that the US is interested in Russian natural resources.
• In February, the Kremlin offered Donald Trump's team a deal on Russian natural resources. At the time, Dmitriev announced Russia's interest in joint projects with the US in the Arctic.
• Putin offered on 24 February to sell Russian rare-earth minerals to the United States, including from Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine.
• While speaking to journalists on 31 March, Trump claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wants to withdraw from the mineral deal and has warned him of "big problems" if he does so.

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