France is also seeking access to Ukraine's deposits of critical minerals, with negotiations already under way for months, the French defence minister said on Thursday, indicating that the US is not the only player.
But France, too, is in discussions with Ukraine - aiming, like the United States, to diversify its supplies of vital minerals, French defence minister Sebastien Lecornu told broadcaster France Info.
He said France could possibly purchase minerals from Ukraine and is not seeking access to them as a way to recoup the billions of euros worth of military and other aid that Paris has supplied to strengthen Ukrainian defences against Russia's invasion.
He said French President Emmanuel Macron mandated him to begin the discussions and that he has been dealing directly with his Ukrainian counterpart as part of efforts to increase the number of source countries for rare minerals.
Ukraine has been offering to supply the US with rare earth elements that are critical for various technologies, including lithium for batteries and uranium for nuclear power, medical equipment and weapons.
