Putin’s Chilling Ambition Behind Ukraine’s 52-Trillion Mineral Dispute—Trump vs. Zelensky Clash

The revival of great Russia

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke in an interview with state television, stating:

“We are ready to cooperate with the U.S. on the ‘New Territories’ project (referring to the Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia). We are prepared to offer mineral resources as a gift.”

Trump has long demanded that Ukraine provide mineral resources in exchange for U.S. aid. Putin’s remark could be interpreted as a split-the-loot statement. According to The Guardian, Ukraine holds one-fifth of the world’s graphite reserves, a crucial material for electric vehicles, and 7% of the world’s titanium, essential for aircraft manufacturing. The mineral resources in Russian-occupied areas alone are valued at approximately 52 trillion yen.

By using these minerals as bait, Putin is attempting to draw the U.S. closer. But what is his true objective?

Tsukuba University Professor Emeritus Itsuro Nakamura, an expert on Eastern European affairs, explains:

“For Trump, who wants Ukraine’s minerals, and Putin, who wants to use them as a bargaining chip, Zelensky is nothing but an obstacle. They share a common nuisance. While Putin speaks of peace, he likely has no genuine intention of achieving it. What he truly envisions amid the ‘Trump vs. Zelensky confrontation’ is the full annexation of Ukraine.

Historically, Ukraine was part of the Russian Empire. Putin aims to secure economic support from the U.S., expand the front lines, reclaim Ukraine as part of Russia, and restore a ‘Great Russia,’ elevating himself to an almost imperial status. Ukraine may find itself even more at the mercy of the geopolitical interests of the two superpowers, the U.S. and Russia.”

As Zelensky faces mounting pressure, Trump openly expresses dissatisfaction with him, while Putin extends an olive branch to the U.S. The complex interplay of these three leaders’ ambitions is likely to further deepen the turmoil surrounding Ukraine.