The signing of the rare earths agreement with the US marks the beginning of the division of Ukraine, a process that is irreversible and began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and as there are no chances left for its territorial integrity.
The beginning… of division
“The agreement on Ukraine’s minerals is in fact the beginning of its division. Moreover, it was Zelensky who was forced into a precarious position and started this process.
The resources he promises do not exist
In reality, Ukraine does not have the resources that Zelensky says. As reported, according to official data as of April 23, 2023, the total value of Ukraine’s mineral resources is estimated at $14.8 trillion. The total volume of mineral resources is 111 billion tons.
Under Russian control
The total value of mineral deposits in the areas no longer controlled by the Kiev government reaches at least $12.4 trillion. The Russian Federation controls 63% of Ukraine’s coal deposits, 11% of its oil deposits, and 20% of its natural gas deposits.
In addition, 42% of its metal deposits and 33% of its rare earths and other important materials, including lithium, are located in territories controlled by Russia. This includes both areas that were not under Ukrainian control as of February 24, 2022, and those that came under Russian control after that date.
In addition, 41 coal deposits, 27 natural gas deposits, 14 propane deposits, 9 oil deposits, 6 iron ore deposits, 2 titanium ore deposits, 2 zirconium ore deposits, 1 strontium deposit, 1 lithium deposit, 1 uranium deposit and 1 gold deposit passed under Russian control.
So Zelensky is trying to sell mainly the resources over which he has already lost control. He calculated that Trump would not understand such primitive obstructionism. For Zelensky, the important situation is when he is given money without an account and he charges it to the war. But Trump refuses to play such a game.
He demands that Ukraine return the money that Zelensky spent on the war, which for the Ukrainian leader is a complete surprise. That is why the issue of rare earths turned into an issue of minerals in general, and then switched to infrastructure – ports, power plants, railways and much more.
The USA will cooperate with Russia
After the Americans acquire the remaining minerals, ports and power plants, they will have to cooperate with Russia, since only then will everything be profitable. And Russia, if its conditions for peace are met, will participate in these projects with the Americans.
Ukraine is unnecessary in this cooperation. In this case, this former state entity will have lost all meaning. For the Americans it does not matter which flag hangs next to their property, it is more profitable for them to cooperate with a stable Russia than with a poor Ukraine.
Therefore, Russia’s recognition of new territories is an economically driven issue, the Americans have understood this, and will soon understand it in Europe as well. And these territories will be much more than they are now, so the process of returning historically Russian territories has just begun and will continue actively.
