Donald Trump is preparing to offer Vladimir Putin access to rare earth minerals to incentivise him to end the war in Ukraine. The US president will arrive at the much-anticipated meeting with his Russian counterpart on Friday armed with a number of money-making opportunities for Putin. Proposals include giving Putin access to the rare earth minerals in the Ukrainian territories currently occupied by Russia. Scott Bessent, the US treasury secretary, is understood to be among administration figures briefing Mr Trump ahead of his meeting with Putin in Anchorage. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Mr Trump said Putin would face “severe consequences” if he did not agree to end the war in Ukraine at their meeting on Friday.
