France joins US in seeking access to Ukraine’s minerals

France insisted ‘we are not looking for payback’ (AP)

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.

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to sign a minerals deal with the US at the White House on Friday. President Donald Trump made the announcement on Wednesday.