James Menendez

Once you have American companies here drilling, it would give Donald Trump and future presidents a reason to step in and protect their interests. The problem with that is that it wasn't exactly the presence of American companies in Ukraine, which stops Russia from launching its full scale invasion.

Once you have American companies here drilling, it would give Donald Trump and future presidents a reason to step in and protect their interests. The problem with that is that it wasn't exactly the presence of American companies in Ukraine, which stops Russia from launching its full scale invasion.

Once you have American companies here drilling, it would give Donald Trump and future presidents a reason to step in and protect their interests. The problem with that is that it wasn't exactly the presence of American companies in Ukraine, which stops Russia from launching its full scale invasion.

The other complicator from speaking to people in the industry, we were at this enormous graphite quarry. close to the central city of Oman. This is a quarry that was built in 1964. It takes a decade just to work out where to dig. It then takes decades to yield any kind of profit.

The other complicator from speaking to people in the industry, we were at this enormous graphite quarry. close to the central city of Oman. This is a quarry that was built in 1964. It takes a decade just to work out where to dig. It then takes decades to yield any kind of profit.

The other complicator from speaking to people in the industry, we were at this enormous graphite quarry. close to the central city of Oman. This is a quarry that was built in 1964. It takes a decade just to work out where to dig. It then takes decades to yield any kind of profit.

But what was interesting in talking to people there, these hardened workers who work in really difficult conditions, they were saying, look, we need the money. Investors have pulled out because of Russia's invasion. We're not functioning for most of the year. Any money would be gratefully received. Let's worry about the security guarantees down the line.

But what was interesting in talking to people there, these hardened workers who work in really difficult conditions, they were saying, look, we need the money. Investors have pulled out because of Russia's invasion. We're not functioning for most of the year. Any money would be gratefully received. Let's worry about the security guarantees down the line.

But what was interesting in talking to people there, these hardened workers who work in really difficult conditions, they were saying, look, we need the money. Investors have pulled out because of Russia's invasion. We're not functioning for most of the year. Any money would be gratefully received. Let's worry about the security guarantees down the line.

So clearly, against the backdrop of hostility, President Zelensky wants to give Donald Trump some kind of win, sign the deal, and then it might allow their relationship to grow even. in some way. But just quickly on that point about Russia, Russia itself is drawing up its own plans, its pitches on critical minerals in both Russia and the territory it occupies in Ukraine.

So clearly, against the backdrop of hostility, President Zelensky wants to give Donald Trump some kind of win, sign the deal, and then it might allow their relationship to grow even. in some way. But just quickly on that point about Russia, Russia itself is drawing up its own plans, its pitches on critical minerals in both Russia and the territory it occupies in Ukraine.

So clearly, against the backdrop of hostility, President Zelensky wants to give Donald Trump some kind of win, sign the deal, and then it might allow their relationship to grow even. in some way. But just quickly on that point about Russia, Russia itself is drawing up its own plans, its pitches on critical minerals in both Russia and the territory it occupies in Ukraine.

So you have this sort of bidding war, these elevator pitches, both from Moscow and Kiev in the direction of Washington.

So you have this sort of bidding war, these elevator pitches, both from Moscow and Kiev in the direction of Washington.

So you have this sort of bidding war, these elevator pitches, both from Moscow and Kiev in the direction of Washington.

It's blurry. I mean, what I know is that some of Ukraine's more valuable minerals are indeed in occupied territory. But the bulk still appear to be, from what I've seen in land, Ukraine still controls. But it is, I mean, the only reports, if we're trying to string these together, the proposal seems to center around this shared pot of money co-owned by America and Ukraine.

It's blurry. I mean, what I know is that some of Ukraine's more valuable minerals are indeed in occupied territory. But the bulk still appear to be, from what I've seen in land, Ukraine still controls. But it is, I mean, the only reports, if we're trying to string these together, the proposal seems to center around this shared pot of money co-owned by America and Ukraine.

It's blurry. I mean, what I know is that some of Ukraine's more valuable minerals are indeed in occupied territory. But the bulk still appear to be, from what I've seen in land, Ukraine still controls. But it is, I mean, the only reports, if we're trying to string these together, the proposal seems to center around this shared pot of money co-owned by America and Ukraine.

And 50% of Ukraine's profits from natural resources, including oil and gas, will go into this pot of cash. And then they will be reinvested into Ukraine's recovery. But you're both right. I mean, there's so much we don't know. And I really wonder if we're going to see President Zelensky or his officials in Riyadh next week meeting with American counterparts.

And 50% of Ukraine's profits from natural resources, including oil and gas, will go into this pot of cash. And then they will be reinvested into Ukraine's recovery. But you're both right. I mean, there's so much we don't know. And I really wonder if we're going to see President Zelensky or his officials in Riyadh next week meeting with American counterparts.