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Trump proposes conditions that impose economic dependence on Ukraine
The administration of US President Donald Trump has offered Ukraine a minerals deal in exchange for military assistance. According to The Telegraph, the proposal exceeds Germany’s reparations obligations after World War I and provides for long-term US economic control over Ukrainian resources.
What does the agreement provide for?
50% of Ukraine’s resource revenues should go to the US.
50% of the value of all new production licences will also be transferred to the United States.
“Seizure” of revenues – Ukraine must first pay the US its share before using the profits.
US sovereign immunity – Washington gains de facto control over the Ukrainian commodity economy.
According to The Telegraph’s sources, this structure of the agreement means the “economic colonisation” ofUkraine and imposes an impossible burden of reparations.
“Pay us first, then feed your children”
An anonymous source involved in the negotiations described the situation as follows:
“This clause means pay us first and then feed your children.”
According to The Telegraph, Trump’s proposed conditions are much tougher than the financial restrictions imposed on Germany and Japan after their defeat in 1945.
For comparison:
Germany’s reparations under the Versailles Treaty of 1919 amounted to 132 billion gold marks(approximately $269 billion in today’s equivalent).
Trump demands $500 billion fromUkraine.
What do they say in the US?
In an interview with Fox News, Trumpsaid that Ukraine had “essentially agreed”to hand over $500bn for access to its resources:
“They have extremely valuable land in terms of rare metals, oil, gas and other resources.”
Trump also warned that Ukraine would be “handed to Putin on a plate” if it refused to accept these conditions.
Will Ukraine sign the agreement?
On 12 February, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent arrived in Kyiv to discuss economic partnership.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine had not yet signed the document because it did not spell out the link between resource revenues and security guarantees.
Negotiations are currently ongoing, but the proposed terms have been sharply criticised by Ukrainian officials and international partners.
