U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of attempting to “hustle” the United States in negotiations over Ukraine’s rare-earth minerals. According to a report by the New York Post, Zelenskyy allegedly expressed openness to discuss a $500 billion economic investment deal privately, while publicly rejecting the agreement. This has reportedly frustrated Rubio, Vice President JD Vance, and Russia-Ukraine special envoy Keith Kellogg following their meeting at the Munich Security Conference.
The rare-earth mineral deal is presented by the Trump administration as a security guarantee for Ukraine. In a video interview with Catherine Herridge, Rubio emphasized his dissatisfaction, citing Zelenskyy’s actions as counterproductive despite the substantial aid—nearly $200 billion—provided by the U.S. to Ukraine. He further criticized Zelenskyy for suggesting President Trump was disseminating Russian “disinformation,” while also recalling similar frustrations from President Joe Biden in past interactions with Zelenskyy.
Despite claims of exclusion, Rubio assured that Ukrainian and European officials were kept informed throughout the negotiation process, including before meetings in Munich and Riyadh with Russian officials. Trump has also voiced disapproval, labeling Zelenskyy a “dictator” and denying Russian President Vladimir Putin’s responsibility for the Ukraine conflict.
While Zelenskyy reportedly agreed to seek approval from Ukraine’s parliament, he soon publicly rejected the deal, further aggravating tensions. Meanwhile, the U.S., in collaboration with its allies, continues to pursue peace talks to end the war in Ukraine, as senior officials recently engaged in discussions with Russian government members in Saudi Arabia, excluding Ukraine from the meeting. The dynamics surrounding these negotiations underline the complexity and contentious nature of U.S.-Ukraine relations amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/world/us-state-secretary-slams-zelenskyy-hustling-us-rejecting-minerals-deal-9849376/
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Publish Date: 2025-02-22 02:32:00
