Donald Trump is ‘holding a gun to Volodymyr Zelensky’s head’ with newest Ukraine transfer
The US is set to have control of Ukraine’s mineral wealth and infrastructure linked to natural resources after Donald Trump signed an order – and it’s said it will have huge consequences
Donald Trump is “holding a gun to Volodymyr Zelensky‘s head” with his proposed minerals deal with Ukraine, an expert claimed.
Insiders have laid bare Mr Trump’s deal, which is expected to see the United States handed control of Ukraine’s mineral wealth and infrastructure linked to natural resources. The agreement would be unparalleled in the history of modern diplomacy.
And the plan gives the US unprecedented control over the sale of the war torn nation’s resources which could include vetoing sales to China or restricting sales to Europe. Despite the massive economic control handed over to the US it would come with no security guarantee in light of a future Russian invasion.
Alan Riley, an expert on energy law at the Atlantic Council, said: “There are no guarantees, no defence clauses, the US puts up nothing.” He also said, in reported speech, Mr Trump is holding a gun to the head of Mr Zelensky, demanding huge reparations payments and laying claim to half of Ukraine’s oil, gas and hydrocarbon resources.
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A United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund would control Ukraine’s natural resources including critical minerals and natural gas. Three of the five board members on the new fund will be chosen by the US and America will be given the first right of refusal on all projects.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Mr Riley added: “It is not compatible with EU membership, and perhaps that is part of the purpose. I have to wonder whether the real intention might not be to force Zelensky to reject it. The Americans can walk away, the Ukrainians can’t. I’ve never seen anything like it before.” The US would also have the power to examine the books and accounts of any Ukrainian ministry or agency when it wants to.
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This deal is running parallel with talks between Russia and America to to restore West Siberian gas flows to Europe in large volumes. The revived gas trade would flow through Ukraine’s network, and then via the Baltic once the sabotaged Nord Stream pipelines are mended.
This latest development comes days after the White House announced that Ukraine and Russia agreed to a ceasefire in the Black Sea to ensure safe navigation as they move closer toward a peace deal.
The agreement also implements a ban on attacks by the two countries on each other’s energy facilities. It is the clearest move to a wider ceasefire deal that the Trump administration sees as a positive step toward ending the war. The agreements reached in Saudi Arabia follow talks initiated by President Donald Trump, who has vowed to swiftly end the war.
