Rubio: no announcement on New START; says Ukraine talks include technical military teams and critical minerals will matter for reconstruction

When asked about the status of the New START treaty (referred to in the briefing as "NuStart"), Secretary Rubio said, "I don't have any announcement on NuStart right now." He added that the president would speak on the subject later.

Rubio described the talks in Abu Dhabi as important technical engagement, saying for the first time in a long time technical military teams from both Ukraine and Russia are meeting and that U.S. experts and other attendees are present. He named several participants and said the engagement is meaningful even if public progress and breakthroughs are not immediately apparent.

On the relationship between critical minerals and Ukraine's future, Rubio said minerals are part of Ukraine's postwar economic prosperity and reconstruction: "This war will end at some point. And when it does, Ukraine needs to be able to harness all the resources of their country to be able to rebuild it." He added that with the right economic moves "Ukraine could probably double its GDP in the next decade."

Why it matters: Rubio framed critical minerals as both an economic asset for reconstruction and a strategic consideration during diplomatic and security negotiations. He said progress on a settlement has reduced the list of open items but noted the remaining issues are the most difficult.