US wants to see some level of gratitude from Zelensky - Rubio

Rubio was asked what he thought when Trump called Zelensky a “dictator without an election,” according to the US State Department.

He responded by saying that President Trump was very upset with President Zelensky, particularly for his lack of gratitude for American aid and his refusal to sign the Ukrainian minerals agreement.

“We had a conversation with President Zelensky. We discussed this issue of mineral rights and explained to them, 'Look, we want to be in a joint venture with you - not because we're trying to steal from your country, but because we think it's a security guarantee,'” the secretary of state said.

He said Zelensky expressed his desire to enter into this agreement, but added that it needed to be put through the legislative process.

“Two days later I read that Zelensky said: I rejected the agreement, I told them no way, that we're not going to do it. But that's not what happened at that meeting. So you start getting upset about what somebody says,” Rubio said.

He said he would like to see some level of appreciation for the U.S.'s concern.

“And you see him accusing the president of living in a world of misinformation, that's very, very counterproductive,” Rubio said.

He is convinced that Trump is ready to work to achieve peace because he cares about the fate of Ukraine.

“And he hopes that Zelensky will be a partner in that endeavor and not someone who is making counter-messages trying to mess with our minds. That's not going to be productive,” he said.

Photo: U.S. Department of State.