This is reported by RBK-Ukraine citing the Telegram channel of Andriy Kovalenko, the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD). This information is also provided by Kontrakty.UA.
Putin initiated the war against Ukraine, hoping for a swift victory that would enhance Russia's standing as a "leader of a multipolar world." However, his plans did not materialize. Instead of consolidating Russia's influence on the international stage, this war has resulted in a significant defeat that has altered the geopolitical landscape.
As Andriy Kovalenko pointed out, following the failure of the "special military operation," Russia has become even more dependent on China. Now, China dictates the terms, which is precisely what Zbigniew Brzezinski warned about in his 1997 work "The Grand Chessboard."
He cautioned the West about the potential formation of an alliance between Russia and Iran, which would lead to an increased influence of these countries on global politics. However, as of today, the relationship between Russia, China, and Iran cannot be classified as a full-fledged alliance.
Ukraine has withstood and strengthened its army: strategic context
In contrast to Russia, Ukraine has persevered, maintaining its independence and continuing the fight. Today, Ukraine boasts one of the strongest armies in the world, making it a significant player on the international stage.
According to Kovalenko, Russia will eventually pay for this war with its own resources. Having lost the ability to sustain a prolonged confrontation without serious strategic losses, it can no longer compensate for its damages. The seizure of Ukrainian territories will not be legally recognized, and sooner or later, Ukraine will regain control over its lands.
Highlighting changes in the geopolitical context, Kovalenko also noted that Russia, instead of becoming a bridge between China and the West, has turned into a battlefield between these two powers.
He emphasized that Putin's statements regarding rare earth metals for the U.S. are proof that Russia is no longer an independent player but has become an economically dependent territory actively exploited by stronger nations.
Ultimately, Russia is liquidating its national wealth, as it has already expended all other resources on the war. This will become its legacy - a bankrupt country that has lost its strategic significance on the international stage.
It is worth noting that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has announced Russia's readiness to cooperate with the U.S. in the extraction of rare earth metals, particularly from deposits located in the occupied territories of Ukraine, which he referred to as "new regions." These comments were made during a press conference on February 24, as reported by Russian media.
On February 24, Monday evening, Vladimir Putin held a meeting dedicated to the development of the rare earth metals industry in Russia.
Putin emphasized that these metals are critically important for microelectronics, energy, the digital economy, as well as for Russia's civil and defense sectors. He believes that the development of this industry will contribute to strengthening Russia's economy.
Additionally, Putin instructed to enhance the potential of Russian industry in the production of new materials. In particular, he stressed the need to establish a complete cycle for the rare earth metals industry - from extraction and processing to the production of high-tech goods with high added value.