Putin orders cabinet to draw up plans for rare earths extraction

MOSCOW, - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday ordered the Russian cabinet to draw up by December 1 a road map for the extraction of rare earth minerals which are used in smartphones, electric vehicles and weapons systems.

In a list of tasks for ministers published on the Kremlin website, Putin also ordered the cabinet to take measures to develop transport links at Russia's borders with China and North Korea.

Both of Russia's far eastern neighbours have deepened economic ties with Moscow since Western countries imposed sanctions on it over the war in Ukraine.