Outside the Room Where the Russia-US Peace Talks Happened
Feb 18, 2025
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John Simpson, BBC's world affairs editor with a wealth of experience in international reporting, and Dr. Julie Klinger, a visiting fellow and expert on rare earth elements, dive into significant geopolitical discussions. They analyze the recent US-Russia peace talks, the implications of excluding Ukraine, and whether relations are warming. Klinger sheds light on the importance of Ukraine's rare minerals, exploring their role in global trade and potential impacts on post-conflict recovery.
The recent US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia mark a potential thaw in relations, despite Ukraine's absence from the negotiations.
Ukraine's rare earth minerals are becoming a focal point in geopolitical discussions, complicating future negotiations around the country's resources.
Deep dives
Negotiations in Riyadh: US and Russia's Complicated Relationship
The recent negotiations in Riyadh between the US and Russian representatives signify a significant shift in diplomatic dynamics, highlighting the thawing of relations that were severely strained following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. With no representatives from Ukraine present, the discussions focused on re-establishing a dialogue and normalizing diplomatic ties while navigating the complexities of Ukraine's future. Observers noted that the US appeared somewhat awkward during these talks, as they had to concede key negotiating points, such as the status of Ukraine's NATO membership, which Americans traditionally used as leverage. The outcome of these negotiations raises concerns among US allies in Europe about the potential implications of this renewed engagement with Russia, suggesting an unsettling possibility of a rift in transatlantic relations.
The Role of Rare Earths in Future Negotiations
A critical topic emerging from the Riyadh talks is the importance of rare earth elements and critical minerals, which are expected to feature prominently in any future negotiations concerning Ukraine. These materials, such as lithium and zirconium, are increasingly viewed as valuable assets that could give leverage in political and economic discussions. The perception of Ukraine as possessing significant reserves of these critical resources has grown, further complicating the geopolitical landscape. Consequently, the inclusion of these elements in negotiations might create an avenue for both Russian and American interests, while potentially sidelining Ukraine in discussions that might dictate its own resources.
European Diplomacy: A Fragmented Response
The recent gathering of European leaders in response to the evolving situation regarding Ukraine highlighted a troubling lack of unity among member states. While the summit was framed as a victory for diplomacy, in reality, it exposed deep divisions, with many countries holding conflicting views about military involvement and support for Ukraine. Leaders struggled to present a cohesive front, underlining the difficulties in maintaining a collective European strategy in light of shifting US-Russia dynamics. This fragmentation may embolden Russia, giving it an advantageous position as it seeks to exploit divisions within Europe while pursuing its agendas.
Understanding Ukraine's Resource Wealth: Opportunities and Challenges
Ukraine's vast untapped reserves of rare earth elements and critical minerals present both opportunities for economic recovery and myriad challenges in post-conflict scenarios. Experts emphasize the need for value-added processing of these resources within Ukraine to ensure that the country fully benefits from its mineral wealth, rather than allowing external powers to dominate the resource extraction process. The distinction between estimated resource value and actual economic return underscores the complexity of extracting these materials and transforming them into profitable goods. Ultimately, managing these resources requires careful planning and the involvement of Ukrainian authorities to avoid the historical pitfalls of neocolonial exploitation.
Today, Russia and the US hold peace talks in Saudi Arabia, but a noticeable absentee was any representative of Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergi Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio have agreed to appoint teams to start negotiating the end of the war in Ukraine after talks in Saudi Arabia. Speaking after, Lavrov said his country wouldn’t accept peacekeeping forces from Nato countries in Ukraine.
Are relations between Russia and the US thawing? And are we on the brink of a deal? We speak to the BBC world affairs editor, John Simpson.
And, President Trump has said he wants access to Ukraine’s rare minerals. But what exactly are they? We speak to Dr Julie Klinger, author of Rare Earth Frontiers: From Terrestrial Subsoils to Lunar Landscapes.
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Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Teodora Agarici and Shiler Mahmoudi. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The editor is Sam Bonham.
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