Putin Offers Trump Mineral Deals, Including Resources from Russian-Occupied Ukraine, Politico Reports

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has expressed willingness to cooperate with the United States on mineral trade, including resources from Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine, according to Politico on February 25.

Amid ongoing discussions about Ukraine’s critical minerals, Putin suggested that Russia could provide a more favorable deal than Kyiv. Speaking to state media on February 24, he stated, “We are ready to work with our partners, including the Americans,” referencing mineral reserves across Russia, as well as in the occupied Donetsk region in Ukraine.

Following a meeting on rare earth metal development, Putin dismissed concerns over Ukraine’s potential deal with the U.S., asserting that Russia has significantly larger reserves. “We would be ready to cooperate with our American partners ... if they showed interest in working together,” he said.

Putin pointed to reserves in Russia’s north, the Caucasus, and the Far East, in addition to occupied territories in Ukraine.

“Regarding new territories,” he stated, “We are ready to attract foreign partners — and in our so-called new historical territories, which have returned to the Russian Federation, there are also certain reserves there. We are ready to work with our foreign partners, including the Americans, there.”

Putin also proposed resuming aluminum exports to the U.S., saying Moscow was prepared to supply “about 2 million tons to the American market.”

The remarks come as the Trump administration explores options to secure access to Ukraine’s mineral wealth, reportedly as compensation for past military aid. However, no clear security commitments or future funding assurances have been linked to these discussions.

As part of the proposal, Putin emphasized the potential benefits for American companies in the aluminum sector, saying cooperation would ensure competitive market prices and financial gains. “If American companies work with Moscow, they will make good money, and the corresponding volumes of aluminum will enter the domestic market at absolutely acceptable market prices,” he noted.

On February 24, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that an important agreement could be finalized soon, with a potential signing ceremony taking place at the Oval Office, where he is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.