Trump wants Ukraine's minerals in exchange for aid

The United States has been writing all the checks for Ukraine’s war with Russia, but Donald Trump wants some payback.

He is now suggesting that Ukraine give the United States rights to the country’s minerals in exchange for the billions in aid that has been sent.

I Never Got It

If we are to believe a recent statement by Ukrainian President Zelensky, he has not received more than half the aid that Biden authorized.

Our books say that Zelensky has received about $177 billion in aid, but Zelensky says his number is about $70 billion.

He stated, "When I hear – both in the past and even now – from the US that America has provided Ukraine with hundreds of billions [of dollars] (177, to be precise, based on what Congress approved), as the president of a nation at war, I can tell you – we’ve received more than US$75 billion.

“So, when people talk about US$177 billion or even US$200 billion, we’ve never received that. We’re talking about tangible things because this aid didn’t come as cash but rather as weapons, which amounted to about US$70 billion.”

Trump Wants Their Minerals

One of the biggest interests the United States has in protecting Ukraine is the precious minerals in the country, which are needed primarily for tech.

Trump is now looking to leverage aid given to Ukraine against those mineral rights.

He stated, “We’re looking to do a deal with Ukraine where they’re going to secure what we’re giving them with their rare earth and other things. We’re handing them money hand over fist. We’re giving them equipment. [The] European [Union] is not keeping up with us.”

I made this very suggestion very early on in this war, knowing that we would never see any of this money back. We need minerals, and Biden has blocked mining in much of the country where we can produce them ourselves, so, in my opinion, taking the minerals in exchange for military aid is perfectly reasonable.

Zelensky Flipping the Script

The little Ukrainian conman is now agreeing with Trump, in a roundabout way. Rather than saying his country would trade off the rights, Zelensky is calling for US firms to “invest” in Ukraine’s minerals.

He stated, “We are open to the fact that all this can be developed with our partners, who are both helping us to protect our land and pushing the enemy back with their weapons, and sanctions packages — and this is absolutely fair.”

I think you misunderstood, sir. This is not an investment. You owe us significant money, and this is how we are going to get it back.

As I stated above, I brought this very plan up more than a year ago, so I think it is great idea, but I want to be clear… Ukraine gets nothing in return until they pay back every cent of the money the country received in military aid.