Trump might be considering rare earth deal to push Putin toward peace

The Telegraph reported the information. 

According to the outlet, the U.S. president will meet Putin in Alaska on Friday, armed with proposals that could include opening Alaska’s natural resources to Russia, lifting some aviation sanctions, and giving Moscow access to minerals in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine.

“There are a range of incentives, in which a potential mineral/rare earth deal could be one,” a source told The Telegraph. Ukraine holds around 10% of the world’s lithium reserves, much of it now under Russian control.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is advising Trump on “economic trade-offs” to secure a ceasefire. Trump warned on Wednesday that Putin would face “severe consequences” if he refused peace, but also said, “If the first one goes ok, we’ll have a quick second one. I would like to do it almost immediately, and we’ll have a quick second meeting between President Putin and President Zelenskyy and myself, if they’d like to have me there.”

Zelenskyy said Trump supported “security guarantees” for Ukraine, a key demand from Kyiv. European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, called the talks “positive” and said ceasefire plans were ready if a deal is reached.

Other incentives on the table include lifting U.S. export bans on aircraft parts for Russian airlines. Western sanctions have left nearly a third of Russia’s Airbus and Boeing planes at risk of being grounded within five years.

Trump is also considering letting Russia develop oil and gas reserves in the Bering Strait, an area rich in resources and strategically important to Moscow.

European officials say such offers could be acceptable “so long as it is not seen as rewarding Russia.” The White House has downplayed expectations, calling the meeting “a feel-out” session.

“This is really a feel-out meeting,” Trump said, predicting he would know “probably in the first two minutes” if Putin was serious about peace.