Putin's message of cooperation to Trump: We are ready to offer opportunities

Russian President Vladimir Putin gave an interview to Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin. Regarding a possible agreement between the US and Ukraine on rare earth elements, Putin said, "This does not concern us. Rare earth elements are one of the most important components of our modern economy. We are doing a lot for this and we should do more. Russia is ready to offer the US the opportunity to work together in the field of rare earth metals. We definitely have many times more resources than Ukraine." Putin said, "Russia is one of the leading countries in terms of earth elements. We have them in Murmansk in the North, Kabardino-Balkaria in the Caucasus, Irkutsk in the Far East, Yakutia and Tuva."

"ZELENSKY IS AVOIDING NEGOTIATIONS"

Putin touched on US President Donald Trump’s pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to hold elections. Putin said, “He is avoiding these negotiations. Why? Because if these negotiations start sooner or later, most likely very soon, there will be a need to lift martial law, and as soon as that happens, elections must be held immediately. Then there will be no reason not to hold elections, because elections in Ukraine today are not held under the pretext of martial law,” and emphasized that Zelenskyy remains in office with martial law decrees. Stating that according to Russian data, Zelenskyy’s closest political rival is former Ukrainian Chief of General Staff Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Putin said, “Zaluzhnyi, who was exiled to London, has exactly twice as many votes.” "Trump is forcing him to make a choice. I think what he wants to do is to improve the political situation in Ukraine, to strengthen society, to create conditions for the survival of the Ukrainian state. In general, this is in the interest of Ukraine," Putin said.