Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the government to prepare a roadmap for the extraction of rare earth elements by December 1. According to the decree published on the Kremlin’s website, Putin also requested the strengthening of transportation links along the borders with China and North Korea.
Rare earth elements are critical in many technologies, from smartphones to electric vehicles and weapons systems. These resources have become a strategic asset in global trade.
US President Donald Trump secured priority access to Ukrainian mines for the US with the agreement he signed with Ukraine in April.
Although Russia has expressed its desire to cooperate with the US in this area, the slowdown in the Ukraine war is hindering this process.China, the world’s largest producer of rare earth elements, imposed export restrictions this year in response to US tariffs.
Putin’s directive took shape after the Eastern Economic Forum held in Vladivostok in September. The government was also ordered to build new logistics centers on the borders with China and North Korea and to accelerate new bridge projects to be completed by 2026.
Following Western sanctions, Russian-Asian economic cooperation is rapidly strengthening. This step is seen as part of Moscow’s goal of strategic resource independence.
