INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday he is ready for U.S
investment in strategic minerals in occupied Ukraine.Putin said in televised comments that Russia was ready to work with "foreign partners
including Americans" on developing reserves of rare and rare earth metals, including "in our new regions," referring to regions of Ukraine
President Donald Trump is pushing for Ukraine to sign a deal giving it privileged access to its reserves of valuable minerals.Putin gave an
interview after summoning his cabinet for a meeting on Russia's resources of strategically important rare and rare earth minerals, saying
that Russia is a world leader in terms of reserves, with far more of these than Ukraine, and "must do more" with them."We would work with
pleasure with any foreign partners including with Americans," he said, listing various regions including Siberia and far east Russia where
that have gone back to being part of Russia," Putin said, referring to the regions of Ukraine Russia has occupied through its
invasion."There are also certain reserves there
We are ready to work with our partners, including Americans, in our new regions too."He said he could confirm that US and Russian companies
were "in touch" and discussing joint economic projects linked to resolving the Ukraine conflict.
