Summary
Donald Trump stated that U.S. aid to Ukraine should be compensated with $500 billion worth of its mineral resources, including rare earth elements.
He claimed Ukraine had “essentially agreed” to this arrangement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has hinted at allowing U.S. access to these resources to maintain support.
The idea aligns with Ukraine’s “victory plan” for post-war recovery.
Trump’s comments drew criticism, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemning his approach as “very egotistic, very self-centered.”
The assumption would be post war the support would be reconciled similar to the way we handled Lend-Lease. Most of the aid would not be recovered but a portion would over a VERY long time. The US would basically have Ukraine paying interest forever while making trade deals to reduce the principle. All of them s was a play by Zelensky to kiss the ring and secure continued support. Trump just showed the world how much of a Russian ASSet he is, again.