Trump Seeks Compensation for U.S. Aid to Ukraine

NATIONAL HARBOR, United States, Feb 23, 2025 (BSS/AFP) – U.S. President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he is pushing for compensation from Ukraine in exchange for the billions of dollars in wartime aid provided by the United States.

Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) near Washington, Trump revealed ongoing negotiations with Kyiv over mineral resource deals as a form of repayment for military and financial assistance given under his predecessor, Joe Biden.

“I’m trying to get the money back, or at least secured,” Trump said. “We’ve invested billions, and now we’re asking for rare earth minerals, oil—whatever we can get. It’s only fair.”

Ukraine Resists Pressure

Despite U.S. pressure, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains reluctant to sign such a deal, a source told AFP. While U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg described the agreement as “critical,” the Ukrainian side insists on clearer security assurances before committing.

“The current draft is not acceptable,” the source said. “We are working on modifications to make it more constructive.”

Ukraine has long sought security guarantees amid Russia’s nearly three-year invasion. However, tensions between Kyiv and Washington have escalated, particularly after Trump labeled Zelensky a “dictator” and urged him to “move fast” to end the war.

A High Price Tag

According to diplomatic sources, Trump has demanded resources worth $500 billion—a figure Ukraine deems excessive, especially given that official U.S. aid totals approximately $60 billion since Russia’s invasion.

“There’s no clear American commitment to security or investment in this agreement—just vague promises—yet they’re demanding $500 billion from us,” the Ukrainian source stated. “What kind of partnership is this?”

Global Response and Continued Support for Ukraine

Despite Trump’s stance, international support for Ukraine remains firm. In a call with Zelensky, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed Britain’s “ironclad” commitment to Ukraine’s defense.

Meanwhile, France is considering bolstering its military capabilities due to ongoing security threats from the war, with plans to expand its fleet of frigates and Rafale fighter jets, according to French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu.

As Trump prepares for talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Washington on Monday, tensions over U.S. policy toward Ukraine continue to mount. Meanwhile, Polish President Andrzej Duda, a vocal Trump supporter, has urged Zelensky to cooperate with the U.S. administration.

With the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion approaching, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to navigate both military and diplomatic challenges amid shifting geopolitical alliances.