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President Trump has called for Ukraine to provide compensation, including rare earth metals and oil, in exchange for the billions of dollars in aid the US has provided during its war with Russia.
Some shit you should know before you read: Since the war broke out in Ukraine, the United States has provided billions in aid, including military, humanitarian, and financial assistance. This includes around $60 billion in military support, such as weapons, ammunition, and training, while the rest is allocated for humanitarian aid and economic assistance. Some of the pledged military aid has yet to be delivered due to logistical challenges and production delays. Recent public polling shows a shift in congressional sentiment, with a majority now opposed to additional security assistance for Ukraine without a clear funding plan or reimbursement mechanism.
What’s going on now: Over the weekend, President Trump told attendees at CPAC that he is seeking compensation from Ukraine for the billions of dollars in aid the US has provided during its conflict with Russia. He argued that unlike Europe, which gave aid as loans, the US offered assistance without any repayment terms, and he wants to “get the money back” or secure valuable resources in return. Trump claimed that the US had provided $350 billion in aid—significantly higher than official estimates of around $120 billion—and demanded either money or $500 billion worth of rare earth minerals and oil as compensation.
Trump said that negotiations are underway, suggesting they are “pretty close to a deal,” but acknowledged that progress depends on Ukraine’s willingness to agree. Despite this, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has so far rejected the proposed deal, citing concerns over its lack of security guarantees and what Ukrainian sources described as “unilateral commitments” benefiting the US without sufficient benefits for Ukraine.
This all comes as critics of President Trump’s push to obtain compensation from Ukraine argue that he could instead target the hundreds of billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets held by the West and other EU countries. These assets, estimated to be worth over $300 billion, include central bank reserves and oligarch-owned properties seized as part of international sanctions against Russia.
While using these funds could provide significant financial leverage and potentially offset US aid costs, it also poses complex legal and diplomatic challenges, potentially setting a precedent for asset seizures in international conflicts. Additionally, tapping into these assets could escalate tensions with Russia and complicate diplomatic negotiations, raising concerns about the long-term geopolitical consequences.
