US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed disappointment due to the results of discussions between the US and Ukraine on valuable metals. In particular, he stressed that at a meeting with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky reached a preliminary agreement on the conclusion of the agreement, but later the President stated that he refused it.
In his interview, journalist Catherine Gerryridge Rubio noted that a contract was discussed in negotiations with Zelensky and Vice President, Jay Vice, which involves cooperation between countries in the production of precious metals in Munich. According to him, the US did not aim to "steal" the resources of Ukraine, but were interested in concluding agreements as security guarantees for both countries.
"We are trying to be partners in important economic initiatives, and this should be a security signal for you," Rubio said. He confirmed that President Zelensky agreed to the agreement, but emphasized that it was still necessary to go through the legislative process for approval.
However, as Rubio noted, he then learned that Zelensky publicly stated that he had rejected the agreement. "It was upset because we agreed at the meeting," Rubio explained, adding that the United States seeks to help Ukraine, but believe that they are entitled to a certain level of gratitude.
The situation around this agreement calls into question the effectiveness of negotiations between the US and Ukraine, since according to Financial Times, the main reason for the refusal was to obtain half of the rights to all fossil resources of Ukraine, without providing appropriate security guarantees. Zelensky, in turn, confirmed that Ukraine does not give up the agreement, but wants to reach more favorable conditions.
