Photo: Charlie Hebdo
In a world where geopolitical rivals rarely find common ground, there is news that raises eyebrows: Russia and the United States have started negotiations on joint mining of rare earth metals. Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s envoy for international cooperation and chairman of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), said this in an interview with the propaganda outlet Izvestia. Can economic benefits reconcile long-time opponents?
Metals that rule the world
Rare earth metals are not just exotic elements from the periodic table. They are key to the production of high-tech devices, from smartphones and electric cars to weapons systems. Global demand for these resources is growing rapidly, while supply remains limited. According to Dmitriev, Moscow and Washington see this as a chance for cooperation. “Rare earth metals are an important area, and we have already started discussions about various projects in Russia,” he said, hinting that the talks are not limited to metallurgy.
Interestingly, the initiative came after the United States began to probe the ground for a deal with Ukraine on mineral extraction. It seems that Putin has decided not to stand aside and has put his own proposal on the table: “Why not explore our deposits together?” The idea of a joint economic agreement between Russia and the United States sounds like the plot of a science fiction novel, but according to Dmitriev, the first steps have already been taken.
Who is interested and what’s next?
Dmitriev added to the intrigue by mentioning that some companies – as yet unnamed – have already shown interest in participating in the projects. Who are these mysterious players? American tech giants? Or perhaps third-world companies looking for access to Russian resources through partnerships with the West? So far, this remains a mystery, as no specifics have been provided by the head of the Russian Research Institute.
According to Izvestia, the next round of talks could take place in mid-April in Saudi Arabia. The choice of venue is not accidental: Riyadh has long positioned itself as a neutral platform for international discussions and has its own interest in rare earth metals. Time will tell whether this meeting will be a breakthrough in Russian-American relations or just another episode in the game of ambitions.
Economics versus politics
This news raises more questions than it answers. How did countries that have been exchanging sanctions and accusations for years suddenly come to the negotiating table? Can economic benefits outshine political differences? And what does this mean for Ukraine, which has also been counting on American investment in its raw materials base?
While experts wonder whether the cooperation between Russia and the US is real, Dmitriev seems confident: “We are moving forward.” If the plans come to fruition, the global rare earths market could gain a new powerful player – and it will be a duo that seemed impossible until recently. We are waiting for April – perhaps Saudi Arabia will witness a historic handshake. Or another diplomatic manoeuvre.
Author: Marianna Nyzhnia
