-
'Historic moment': South Koreans react to Yoon's dismissal
-
Israel kills Hamas commander in Lebanon strike
-
Trump unveils first $5 million 'gold card' visa
-
Crashes, fires as Piastri fastest in chaotic second Japan GP practice
-
India and Bangladesh leaders meet for first time since revolution
-
Israel expands ground offensive in Gaza
-
Families of Duterte drug war victims demand probe into online threats
-
Stocks extend global rout after Trump's shock tariff blitz
-
Kolkata's Iyer more bothered about impact than price tag
-
BP chairman to step down after energy strategy reset
-
Indian patriotic movie 'icon' Manoj Kumar dies aged 87
-
China floats battle barges in Taiwan invasion plans
-
McLaren's Piastri fastest in chaotic second Japanese GP practice
-
South Korea seize two tons of cocaine in largest-ever drug bust
-
Pacific nations perplexed, worried by Trump tariffs
-
The race to save the Amazon's bushy-bearded monkeys
-
TikTok must find non-Chinese owner by Saturday to avert US ban
-
Trump tariffs to test resiliency of US consumers
-
Clamping down on 'forever chemicals'
-
Prominent US academic facing royal insult charge in Thailand
-
Yana, a 130,000-year-old baby mammoth, goes under the scalpel
-
'Don't want to die': Lesotho HIV patients look to traditional medicine
-
Curry scores 37 as Warriors outgun LeBron's Lakers
-
Crops under threat as surprise March heatwave hits Central Asia: study
-
Japan PM says Trump tariffs a 'national crisis'
-
Security 'breakdown' allows armed men into Melbourne's MCG
-
Norris fastest in Japan GP first practice, Tsunoda sixth on Red Bull debut
-
Albon says Thailand taking bid for F1 race 'very seriously'
-
'It's gone': conservation science in Thailand's burning forest
-
Protest as quake-hit Myanmar junta chief joins Bangkok summit
-
EU leaders push for influence at Central Asia summit
-
Asian stocks extend global rout after Trump's shock tariff blitz
-
Lewandowski, Mbappe duel fuelling tight La Liga title race
-
South Korea court upholds President Yoon's impeachment, strips him of office
-
Liverpool march towards title as Man City face Man Utd
-
Finland's colossal bomb shelters a model for jittery Europe
-
Athletes frustrated as France mulls Muslim headscarf ban in sport
-
Korda downs Kupcho to stay alive at LPGA Match Play
-
German industry grapples with AI at trade fair
-
Irish school trains thatchers to save iconic roofs
-
'Frightening': US restaurants, producers face tariff whiplash
-
Cuba looks to sun to solve its energy crisis
-
Experts warn 'AI-written' paper is latest spin on climate change denial
-
PSG eye becoming France's first 'Invincibles'
-
Late birdie burst lifts Ryder to Texas Open lead
-
Five potential Grand National fairytale endings
-
Trump purges national security team after meeting conspiracist
-
More work for McIlroy even with two wins before Masters
-
Trump hopeful of 'great' PGA-LIV golf merger
-
No.1 Scheffler goes for third Masters crown in four years
Trump’s Ukraine Economic Colony Plan Stirs Debate
As the war in Ukraine continues to reshape global geopolitics, a contentious proposal from US President Donald Trump has ignited fierce debate. Reports emerging in early 2025 suggest that Trump is pushing a deal that would grant the United States significant control over Ukraine’s vast natural resources, effectively turning the war-torn nation into what critics are calling an "economic colony." This development, rooted in negotiations tied to US military and financial aid, has raised alarm bells in Kyiv and among European allies.
According to sources, including a detailed report by EurasiaTimes on 20 February 2025, Trump’s administration has proposed a contract that demands a 50% share of Ukraine’s revenue from its critical minerals, ports, infrastructure, oil, and gas reserves. This comes as a condition for continued US support, which has been vital to Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s invasion since February 2022. The proposed terms are staggering: the US claims it has provided $500 billion in aid—a figure disputed by independent estimates, such as the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, which pegs US contributions at approximately $119 billion as of late 2024. In return, Trump seeks economic dominance over Ukraine’s resources, estimated to be worth trillions of dollars.
Ukraine, despite occupying just 0.4% of the Earth’s surface, is a treasure trove of rare earth elements, titanium, lithium, and other minerals critical to modern technology and defence industries. However, much of this wealth remains untapped or lies in Russian-occupied territories, complicating extraction efforts. Trump’s plan, as outlined in a leaked document cited by The Telegraph on 7 February 2025, includes establishing a "joint investment fund" to ensure that "hostile conflict parties"—namely Russia and potentially China—do not benefit from Ukraine’s reconstruction. The deal also reportedly grants the US "investment screening" powers, allowing Washington to dictate Ukraine’s economic partnerships.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed unease, rejecting an initial draft in February 2025 that lacked security guarantees. "It is very important that there is a connection between security guarantees and a form of investment," Zelensky said, as reported by NBC News on 19 February 2025. His hesitation reflects a broader concern: that accepting Trump’s terms could lock Ukraine into a perpetual state of economic subservience, reminiscent of colonial arrangements imposed on defeated nations after major wars. Ukrainian economist Roman Sheremeta described the proposal as "effectively turning Ukraine into an American colony," a sentiment echoed across social media platforms like X, where users have labelled it "economic colonisation."
The plan has drawn sharp criticism internationally. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called it "egoistic" during an EU summit on 4 February 2025, arguing that Ukraine’s resources should fund its own rebuilding, not serve foreign interests. European leaders fear being sidelined, especially as Trump has pursued direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin—most recently on 19 March 2025—without consulting NATO allies. These negotiations, held in Saudi Arabia, have fuelled speculation that Trump might trade Ukrainian sovereignty for a swift resolution to the conflict, a move that could bolster his domestic image ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Trump defends his approach, framing it as a pragmatic exchange. "We’ve given them hundreds of billions, and they’ve got great rare earths," he said on 4 February 2025, per Newspapers. He has also threatened to halt US military aid—paused since 3 March 2025—unless Zelensky complies, a stance that has deepened tensions following a public spat in the White House in late February. Yet, the numbers don’t fully align with Trump’s rhetoric: the Center for Strategic & International Studies estimates total US aid at $174.2 billion, far below the $350 billion he has claimed.
For Ukraine, the stakes are existential. Accepting the deal could secure short-term survival but at the cost of long-term autonomy. Rejecting it risks losing US support, potentially forcing Kyiv to cede ground to Russia. As of now, no agreement has been signed, but pressure is mounting. On 31 March 2025, Trump warned Zelensky of "big problems" if he backs out, according to ZDFheute. With Putin tying any ceasefire to Russian gains in Kursk, as noted by morgenpost.de on 7 March 2025, Ukraine finds itself caught between two superpowers, its future hanging in the balance.

Georgia Slips into Russia’s Grasp

China Targets Dollar at US Critical Moment

EU Pledges €800 Billion for Defence to Deter Russia

Israel escalates War to crush Hamas

Trump, Putin and the question: What now?

Canada challenges Trump on Tariffs

Nuclear weapons for Poland against Russia?

Rebellion against Trump: "Ready for War?"

Ukraine: Problem with the ceasefire?

Ukraine Loses Kursk: A Collapse?

Russia's "Alliance" in the Balkans is sinking
