Putin’s theft of high-tech raw mat • Table.Briefings

Ukraine is the largest supplier of rare earth elements and other raw materials for the European high-tech sector. The EU originally wanted to become less dependent on China when it came to procuring industrial minerals – and has relied primarily on Ukraine for this purpose. China has also sought access to rare earth and noble gas deposits. Putin’s war of aggression has now thwarted the plans on both sides. Will the valuable deposits now fall into Russia’s hands?

Ukraine holds vast mineral resources ranging from iron ore, titanium, lithium, graphite, nickel to rare earth elements. Huge shale gas deposits are also said to slumber untapped beneath the ground. In addition, Ukraine is an important supplier of gasses such as neon, argon, krypton, and xenon, which are also of great importance to the chip industry. In the competition between nations at the beginning of the 21st century, access to such high-tech raw materials is taking on an ever-greater role.

Putin’s theft of high-tech raw materials

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