Trump's Despicable Extortion Of Ukraine

 

The UK's Telegraph reports that the Malignant Fascist presented a "plan" to Ukraine last week that amounts to extorting resources from Ukraine in exchange for vague protection. According to the document, the rights to Ukrainian resources goes far beyond anything offered or contemplated by Ukraine, and would hold its economy back decades from recovery:

"Donald Trump’s demand for a $500bn (£400bn) 'payback” from Ukraine goes far beyond US control over the country’s critical minerals. It covers everything from ports and infrastructure to oil and gas, and the larger resource base of the country.

The terms of the contract that landed at Volodymyr Zelensky’s office a week ago amount to the US economic colonisation of Ukraine, in legal perpetuity. It implies a burden of reparations that cannot possibly be achieved. The document has caused consternation and panic in Kyiv.

The Telegraph has obtained a draft of the pre-decisional contract, marked 'Privileged & Confidential’ and dated Feb 7 2025. It states that the US and Ukraine should form a joint investment fund to ensure that 'hostile parties to the conflict do not benefit from the reconstruction of Ukraine'.

The agreement covers the 'economic value associated with resources of Ukraine', including 'mineral resources, oil and gas resources, ports, other infrastructure (as agreed)', leaving it unclear what else might be encompassed. 'This agreement shall be governed by New York law, without regard to conflict of laws principles,' it states."  (our emphasis)

While Ukrainian President Zelensky has offered to give the U.S. a stake in its rare earth minerals, but nothing near the greedy scope contained in the Trump offer was proposed by Ukraine:

"He calculated that it would lead to US companies setting operations on the ground, creating a political tripwire that would deter Vladimir Putin from attacking again.

Some mineral basins are near the front line in eastern Ukraine, or in Russian-occupied areas. He has played up the dangers of letting strategic reserves of titanium, tungsten, uranium, graphite and rare earths fall into Russian hands. 'If we are talking about a deal, then let’s do a deal, we are only for it,' he said.

He probably did not expect to be confronted with terms normally imposed on aggressor states defeated in war. They are worse than the financial penalties imposed on Germany and Japan after their defeat in 1945. Both countries were ultimately net recipients of funds from the victorious allies." (our emphasis)

This is a move right out of organized crime's protection racket, something that was likely taught to a younger Malignant Fascist by Roy Cohn, lawyer to New York crime figures in the Genovese and Bonanno crime families. Putting struggling Ukraine, an independent country already under attack by a relentless and much larger foe, in a position of colonization by the U.S. is despicable extortion, but something of which the Malignant Fascist is fully capable.