Rudolph Angler Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has ordered experts to search for rare earth minerals, following renewed global interest in these valuable resources. His directive came shortly after an attempted US-Ukraine deal on rare earth elements gained international attention.
Lukashenko instructed Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Shuleiko to ensure that Belarus advances its geological exploration. State-controlled media reported that he wants Belarus to stop being “geologically underdeveloped.”
“This is the number one topic today,” Lukashenko declared, highlighting the significance of rare earth minerals for key industries like renewable energy.
“There aren’t many in the earth. But maybe we have as much as others,” he added.
He also urged geologists to search for oil and gas. “We need to dig and explore the resources we have,” he insisted.
Rare Earths at the Center of US-China Rivalry
Rare earth minerals, including titanium and lithium, belong to a group of 17 elements essential for manufacturing modern technologies. They are used in smartphones, electric cars, and other advanced industries.
Amid economic tensions with China, US President Donald Trump has sought to reduce American dependence on Beijing, the world’s leading supplier of rare earths.
In recent weeks, Trump attempted to sign a rare earth minerals deal with Ukraine in exchange for continued US military aid.
US-Ukraine Deal Collapses, Aid to Kyiv Suspended
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Washington last week, expecting to finalize the minerals agreement. However, a heated dispute with Trump at the White House derailed the negotiations.
Following the fallout, the US government suspended all military assistance to Ukraine. Officials claim this move aims to pressure Kyiv into accepting a peace deal with Russia.
Lukashenko, a longtime ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, continues to align Belarus closely with Moscow. In early 2022, Belarus served as a staging ground for Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which has now entered its fourth year.