Neil Bush
Rare earth elements can even be found in coal, and Bulgaria has a lot of coal reserves. Therefore, it’s not just about Ukraine, said Neil Bush, son of the 41st U.S. President George H. W. Bush and George Bush Junior’s brother.
American business partners from Bulgaria include Tsvetelina Borislavova and Hristo Kovachki, whom Bush describes as an honorable person. He made this statement during an interview with bTV.
Neil Bush is the founder and chairman of the “George Bush Foundation for U.S.–China Relations,” an initiative focused on dialogue between the two superpowers.
Bush is visiting Sofia to participate in an energy forum dedicated to rare earth minerals.
The businessman explained that Borislavova and Kovachki have undergone thorough scrutiny and added, “When you’re a high-profile figure in Bulgaria’s business sector, you’re often subjected to attacks.”
“Kovachki is a smart businessman with a leading position in the sectors he has chosen to invest in. I’ve met his children — both are exceptionally intelligent and well-balanced young people, which is also telling. I believe he is a good man, and I would stand behind him any day.”
Neil Bush also commented on Donald Trump’s foreign policy:
“He is definitely a pacifist — he does not want the U.S. military to be involved in or committed to military conflicts, whether in Gaza, Iran, or Ukraine. However, this stance gives people like Benjamin Netanyahu and Vladimir Putin the opportunity to act with unchecked aggression,” said Bush.
“The U.S. withdrawal from global affairs leads to more death and conflict.”
He also commented on the United States’ involvement in the Iran–Israel conflict:
“If Iran were to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons, it would create a regional environment in which Israel feels more secure. The U.S.’s commitment to Israel would then contribute positively to national and regional security. But if the truce between Iran and Israel fails — if Iran, driven by nationalism and the desire to defend its identity and pride, initiates conflict — it could escalate in a way that would be disastrous not only for the region but for the entire world,” Bush warned.
The Middle East crisis involves Iran — the fourth-largest country in terms of oil reserves and the second in terms of natural gas reserves — which plays a major role in global exports via the Strait of Hormuz.
“If Iran closes the strait, of course it will impact deliveries. There’s constant global demand for oil and gas, much of which depends on traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. So yes — if such a drastic situation were to occur, it would significantly affect fuel prices. But I don’t believe it will come to that,” Bush said.
He added:
“It takes a long time to locate concentrated deposits that can be mined economically. Mining involves breaking rock — it’s incredibly expensive and energy-intensive. Processing also takes time. So the path from discovery to commercial availability of rare earth resources in Ukraine is a long one. That said, I believe Bulgaria has ample such resources. What’s needed is geological surveying, more drilling, and deeper understanding. Rare earth elements can even be found in coal — and Bulgaria has a lot of coal. So it’s not just about Ukraine. However, exploiting these resources will take considerable time before they’re available on the market — that’s simply a fact,” concluded Neil Bush.
Source: OFFNews