Donald Trump’s latest scheme to exploit Ukraine is gaining momentum. Kyiv has been handed a rewritten, 58-page minerals deal, which obliges Ukraine to repay every cent of US military and humanitarian aid it has received since Russia’s 2022 invasion. Washington is also demanding control over half of Ukraine’s income from its natural resources, including oil and gas. The deal is indefinite: Ukraine cannot break or amend it without US approval. What does Ukraine get in return? Absolutely nothing.
Trump is pushing for the deal to be signed next week, but even if Volodymyr Zelensky is forced to agree to the terms, it would be very unlikely to be ratified by Ukraine’s parliament. The current draft would leave Ukraine owing the US at least $120 billion.
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