US switches stance on Ukraine war, seeking $500bn in payback

Recent reports indicate a significant shift in U.S. policy regarding the Ukraine conflict, with the Trump administration now seeking $500 billion in reparations from Russia. This development follows escalating tensions between the U.S. and Ukraine, particularly concerning a proposed agreement over Ukraine’s rare-earth mineral resources.

 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed readiness to negotiate a deal with the U.S. that includes “effective security guarantees.” This proposal comes after a meeting with U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg, where discussions centered on the ongoing conflict with Russia and the return of prisoners of war. Zelensky emphasized the need for a reliable and lasting peace, expressing his team’s commitment to achieving results promptly.

 

Concurrently, the Trump administration is intensifying pressure on Ukraine to sign a deal granting the U.S. rights to Ukraine’s rare-earth mineral deposits, valued at hundreds of billions of dollars. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has underscored the importance of this agreement, which includes significant amounts of oil and gas, and warned that failure to comply would be unacceptable, given U.S. support for Ukraine.

 

These developments have led to increased diplomatic tensions. President Trump recently criticized President Zelensky, labeling him a “dictator without elections” and accusing him of mismanaging U.S. military aid and failing to negotiate peace with Russia. This criticism has been met with rebuttals from figures such as former Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Lindsey Graham, who emphasized that Ukraine did not provoke the conflict. European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, have reiterated their support for Zelensky and dismissed Trump’s claims.

In response to these tensions, the White House has advised Ukraine to cease criticism of former President Trump and sign the $500 billion mineral deal. U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz emphasized the importance of the deal, which includes significant amounts of oil and gas, and noted that failure to comply would be unacceptable, given U.S. support for Ukraine.

 

These developments suggest a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, with a focus on securing substantial economic concessions from Ukraine. The outcome of these negotiations could have profound implications for the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations and the broader geopolitical landscape.

U.S. Intensifies Pressure on Ukraine Amidst Policy Shift