Leaked Deal: Trump Seeks 50% of Ukraine’s Resources in Exchange for U.S. Support

A confidential draft agreement reportedly presented to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlines a significant economic arrangement with the United States, raising concerns about Ukraine’s sovereignty over its natural resources, according to The Telegraph on February 17, 2025.

The document, dated February 7, 2025, and marked “Privileged & Confidential,” proposes a $500 billion compensation package—a figure surpassing many historical reparations.

According to The Telegraph, the agreement proposes the creation of a joint investment fund between the U.S. and Ukraine to oversee Ukraine’s mineral resources, ports, energy infrastructure, and future economic projects. The objective, as stated in the document, is to ensure that “hostile parties do not benefit from Ukraine’s reconstruction.”

Under the proposal, Washington would receive 50% of Ukraine’s resource revenues and an equal share of the financial value of all new mining and export licenses. Additionally, the U.S. would hold priority purchasing rights for future exports of key minerals, including rare earth elements, oil, and gas.

Legal provisions in the document suggest that the agreement would be governed by New York law, granting the U.S. broad influence over Ukraine’s resource sector. One source familiar with the discussions described the terms as a major economic commitment for Ukraine:

“This clause effectively means, ‘Pay us first, then feed your children,’” said one source close to the negotiations.

The draft agreement reportedly caused alarm in Kyiv, as officials weighed the long-term implications of such an economic arrangement. While Zelenskyy had previously suggested offering the U.S. a stake in Ukraine’s critical minerals sector—hoping to incentivize further military aid—the scale of these terms appeared unexpected.

The proposal has drawn comparisons to historical reparation models, with some analysts noting that the agreement would claim a larger share of Ukraine’s GDP than Germany’s post-World War I reparations under the Treaty of Versailles. At the same time, the document reportedly does not place similar financial demands on Russia.

In an interview with Fox News, President Donald Trump claimed that Ukraine had “essentially agreed” to provide $500 billion, citing the country’s valuable natural resources:

“They have tremendously valuable land in terms of rare earths, in terms of oil and gas, in terms of other things,” Trump said.

He warned that without an agreement, Ukraine risked further instability:

“They may make a deal. They may not make a deal. They may be Russian someday, or they may not be Russian someday. But I want this money back”

Trump also suggested that the U.S. had already contributed $300 billion to Ukraine’s war effort, adding that continued funding without returns would be unsustainable. However, congressional records indicate that total approved aid stands at $175 billion, with much of it allocated toward U.S.-based weapons production or structured as loans under the Lend-Lease Act.

Ukraine’s mineral reserves, including lithium, titanium, uranium, and rare earth elements, have increasingly become a focal point in geopolitical discussions. Some of these resources are near the front lines or in Russian-occupied territories, raising concerns about their long-term security. Zelenskyy emphasized the need to prevent strategic reserves from falling into the wrong hands:

“If we’re talking about a deal, let’s make a deal—that’s all we’re saying,” he stated.

Report says that for Ukrainian officials, the Munich forum was a challenging diplomatic setting. They engaged in economic discussions but stressed that the current draft agreement does not comply with Ukrainian law and requires significant revisions.

While Ukraine holds significant resources, their extraction faces market fluctuations and geopolitical risks. China dominates the rare earth sector, but Ukraine’s reserves could contribute to diversifying global supply chains. The country also has one of Europe’s largest lithium deposits, though competition from sources like Nevada’s McDermitt Caldera affects its strategic importance.

In the battery sector, shifting toward alternative technologies and recycling is reducing demand for newly mined cobalt, affecting Ukraine’s deposits. Similarly, shale gas and hydrocarbons remain difficult to extract, leading energy experts to emphasize renewable energy and nuclear power as viable alternatives.

Despite its potential, Ukraine’s resource wealth depends on market conditions, technological advancements, and geopolitical stability. Meeting a $500 billion compensation agreement—even long-term—would be a major financial commitment.

In “The Art of the Deal,” Trump outlines his negotiation strategy:

“I aim very high, and then I just keep pushing and pushing and pushing to get what I’m after.”

For Ukraine, rejecting the deal may not be an option due to ongoing military pressure and the need for continued allied support. As discussions progress, Kyiv must balance securing aid with protecting its long-term economic sovereignty, shaping both its post-war economy and security framework.

Previously, U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, stated that no peace agreement will be imposed on Ukraine and that the decision on ending the war will be made by Ukraine itself.