[Goose]

I don't think any here have mentioned the aid-for-resources statement by the US President.  With so much going on in US politics, did people miss it, or just think it was bluster or positioning?

Given the current US administration thinking with wallets instead of hearts, this is somewhat believable to me.  Indeed, it could even lead to US investment (rebuilding) in Ukraine after the war, if Ukraine survives in some form.  It also gives the current US administration a story as to why it would support the Ukraine side after previously being negative about the cost.   In a sense, any raw materials the US gets from Ukraine, they are worth double if they would otherwise wind up in Russian hands.

The quantity of immediately available raw materials in Ukraine is generally vastly overstated. Raw materials are at least notionally present in many locations. In almost all cases there is no ongoing extraction and no on-the-ground sampling of exactly what ore concentration, ore chemistry, and ore body size is involved. Ukraine would have to do the prospecting, select appropriate locations and build mines/refining facilities before they could ship processed ore. If the current administration would accept a very long-range "earn out" period and if the investment capital required was made available, it could work.

Long term, it might be a good investment but there will be no ROI for quite awhile. I am not sure the administration would accept that kind of deal. I am not sure the administration is looking for long-term gains. OTOH it may be a good way to pressure Putin and explain a new willingness to help Ukraine.

[Goose]

I don't think any here have mentioned the aid-for-resources statement by the US President.  With so much going on in US politics, did people miss it, or just think it was bluster or positioning?

Given the current US administration thinking with wallets instead of hearts, this is somewhat believable to me.  Indeed, it could even lead to US investment (rebuilding) in Ukraine after the war, if Ukraine survives in some form.  It also gives the current US administration a story as to why it would support the Ukraine side after previously being negative about the cost.   In a sense, any raw materials the US gets from Ukraine, they are worth double if they would otherwise wind up in Russian hands.

The quantity of immediately available raw materials in Ukraine is generally vastly overstated. Raw materials are at least notionally present in many locations. In almost all cases there is no ongoing extraction and no on-the-ground sampling of exactly what ore concentration, ore chemistry, and ore body size is involved. Ukraine would have to do the prospecting, select appropriate locations and build mines/refining facilities before they could ship processed ore. If the current administration would accept a very long-range "earn out" period and if the investment capital required was made available, it could work.

Long term, it might be a good investment but there will be no ROI for quite awhile. I am not sure the administration would accept that kind of deal. I am not sure the administration is looking for long-term gains. OTOH it may be a good way to pressure Putin and explain a new willingness to help Ukraine.