Ukraine Minerals Agreement: Most Valuable Minerals are in Russian Territories

Trump’s “minerals deal” is a “nothingburger.” The bulk of Ukraine’s natural resources (oil, gas, diverse metals, etc.) are, or will be, under Russian control. There is nothing the USA, UK, and EU can do to change reality on the battlefield. The minerals in “rump Ukraine” can be exploited after the war, but the deposits are assuredly less valuable than the natural resources of “former Ukraine” that Russia will acquire.

Russia’s Economic Windfalls from the Ukraine War

Russia is experiencing higher budget outlays in prosecuting the Ukraine War, but these expenditures should be considered “investments” because they will generate revenue streams for decades after the war. Russian investors have acquired at steep discounts the multi-billion dollar investments made in Russia by foreign companies; and the Russian Federation will annex many of Ukraine’s most fertile agricultural lands; and lucrative hydrocarbon reserves and mineral deposits.

Putin’s New Defense Minister

I have been unable to write due to other commitments. However, I wanted to include an update about Putin’s appointment of economist Andrey Belousov as Russia’s new defense chief, a move that has stumped western “experts.” Russia’s military-industrial complex is going to become much bigger and more efficient. I recommend a superb analysis...