US Defense Secretary Scott Besant announced that he visited Ukraine this week to continue efforts to strengthen cooperation between the US and the Ukrainian people, as well as to show Americans that they will benefit from a post-war Ukraine, Reuters reported, BTA reported.
In an interview with „Fox News“ After his brief trip to Kiev, Besant explained that his visit was part of President Donald Trump's efforts to end the war in Ukraine, but also to send a signal to the American people that their involvement would benefit them.
The former hedge fund manager stressed that he had the honor of being the first minister in the new cabinet to visit Ukraine.
„My goal was to let the Ukrainian people know that we expect accountability, but also to emphasize that we want to be their partners. The American people will participate in Ukraine's post-war economy," he said.
Besant specified that American interests in post-war Ukraine would include participation in the extraction of rare earth minerals, the energy sector and state-owned enterprises, but did not provide details.
Ukraine's accession to the EU would strengthen the bloc's eastern flank militarily and enhance its geopolitical positions globally, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said in an article published in "Politico". In the article, Shmyhal said that Ukraine has unparalleled experience in countering Russian aggression, which makes its membership a strategic necessity for the EU.