For two years, the U.S. has been Ukraine’s main supporter. However, President Donald Trump now has a different vision. He proposed turning Ukraine into a U.S. colony, giving the U.S. control over its resources and decisions. This proposal was rejected by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Trump’s Proposal: U.S. Control Over Ukraine’s Resources

Earlier this month, Trump shared his plan for continued U.S. support in the war with Russia. He suggested that the U.S. should take control of Ukraine’s natural resources in exchange for aid. These resources include uranium, lithium, graphite, and titanium. While Zelenskyy had suggested similar ideas before, Trump’s proposal would make the U.S. the dominant power over Ukraine’s economy, turning the country into a U.S. colony.

Zelenskyy Rejects Trump’s Plan

After discussing the proposal with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Zelenskyy rejected it. He emphasized that the plan lacked security guarantees for Ukraine. Zelenskyy stated, “For me, it is very important the connection between some kind of security guarantees and some kind of investment.” He believed the plan would not protect Ukraine’s interests.

Details of Trump’s Proposal

Trump argues that the U.S. has already provided up to $500 billion in aid to Ukraine. To repay this, he suggests controlling Ukraine’s resources. The plan targets not only rare earth metals but also Ukraine’s ports, infrastructure, and oil and gas. The proposal also calls for a joint investment fund. The U.S. would take 50% of revenues from resource extraction and 50% of the value of future licenses.

U.S. Control Over Ukraine’s Economy

The proposal would give the U.S. near-total control over Ukraine’s economy. It would be governed by U.S. law, not Ukrainian law. This would grant the U.S. sovereign immunity and control over most of Ukraine’s resources. The fund would also control all future licenses and projects in Ukraine’s resource sector.

Economic Colonization of Ukraine

Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, who reported on the proposal, stated that Trump’s plan amounts to “U.S. economic colonization of Ukraine.” He argued that it would be a permanent economic takeover, leaving Ukraine with little say in its future.

Trump’s Pressure on Ukraine and Russia

Trump has criticized U.S. support for Ukraine and engaged directly with Russia. This has worried European allies, who fear that Trump is setting the stage for a deal that favors Russia. Trump has said that Ukraine must either accept the terms of the proposal or risk becoming "Russian someday."

A Choice Between Russian and U.S. Control

Evans-Pritchard compared Trump’s demands to the reparations sought from aggressor nations after wars. He noted that Ukraine now faces a difficult choice: either face territorial loss to Russia or economic subjugation by the U.S.

In conclusion, Trump’s proposal has been criticized as coercion. It seeks to exploit Ukraine’s resources for the U.S. while disregarding Ukraine’s sovereignty.