If Boeing wishes to start purchasing Russian titanium again, we are ready to consider this - First Deputy PM Manturov

MOSCOW. Feb 21 (Interfax) - Russia would be ready to consider U.S. Boeing resuming the purchase of Russian titanium, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov said.

"As for cooperation and collaboration with Boeing, which traditionally existed for a long time before the special military operation, when Boeing decided to leave the titanium valley, where the corresponding capacities for processing primary titanium were actually created, they ordered not just blanks in large quantities, but finished products, finished parts [...] If they are ready to return, we are ready to consider it," Manturov said.

"No one has approached the Russian government with such a proposal," Manturov said in response to the possible return of Boeing aircraft to the Russian market.

On Thursday, shares of Russia's largest titanium producer, VSMPO-Avisma Corporation , jumped over 20% on unconfirmed rumors about Boeing's possible return to purchasing Russian titanium, after which the Moscow Exchange had to hold a discrete auction for the shares. The company's shares rose 17.4% by the close of trading on February 20.

Boeing was one of the largest consumers of VSMPO-Avisma's products. The company has declined to purchase titanium from VSMPO-Avisma since 2022.