Putin ready to work with U.S. to develop mineral mining in Ukraine’s Russian-controlled areas

Russia is ready to work with the U.S. on mineral mining in regions of Ukraine that it currently controls.

Now this is according to Vladimir Putin on Monday as he spoke of willingness to work with foreign partners including the U.S. to develop reserves of rare and critical minerals in parts of Ukraine that Russia now occupies.

This remark comes amid the Trump administration's push for a critical minerals deal with Ukraine in return for security guarantees and economic aid.

Separately Putin is also said to have spoken with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping during which he claimed Russia is working towards "sustainable peace."