Ukraine is forking over $2.7 million to hire consultants for a minerals deal with the U.S., all while begging American taxpayers for billions more in war funding.
At a Glance
- Ukraine allocated $2.7 million for consultancy on a potential minerals agreement with the United States
- Ukrainian delegation heading to Washington includes officials from Economy, Foreign Affairs, Justice, and Finance ministries
- The deal involves Ukraine’s significant deposits of over 20 strategic minerals including titanium, lithium, and uranium
- Previous negotiations strained relations after a contentious Oval Office meeting derailed a February framework agreement
- Critics argue the agreement could strip Ukraine of control over its natural resources while Ukraine sees it as a way to secure U.S. support
Ukraine’s Million-Dollar Consulting Spree
While continually demanding billions from American taxpayers for their war effort, Ukraine has somehow found $2.7 million to hire consultants for a potential minerals agreement with the United States. This allocation, detailed in an early April government document, reveals the lengths to which Ukraine will go to secure what they hope will be a lucrative deal for access to their country’s vast mineral wealth.
The move clearly demonstrates that while Ukraine claims to be broke and desperate for military aid, they can mysteriously find millions for consulting services when potential profit is involved.
Ukrainian officials are planning to send a delegation to Washington to negotiate a new draft deal that would give the U.S. access to Ukraine’s mineral resources. This team will include representatives from multiple government ministries, suggesting they’re sparing no expense in their approach to these high-stakes negotiations. All this diplomatic maneuvering comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues his seemingly endless world tour begging for more military funding from Western allies.
Previous Negotiations Riddled With Controversy
The road to this minerals agreement has been anything but smooth. Previous negotiations have reportedly strained relations between Kyiv and Washington, highlighting the contentious nature of what’s really at stake. A framework agreement prepared in February completely fell apart after what sources describe as a hostile meeting in the Oval Office.
This suggests serious disagreements about who stands to benefit most from Ukraine’s underground treasures. The fact that such discussions are happening while a war rages on raises serious questions about priorities.
“What we have now is a document that reflects the position of the U.S. Treasury legal team,” said Svyrydenko. “This is not a final version, it’s not a joint position.”
Critics of the leaked draft have raised alarms that it could effectively strip Ukraine of control over its natural resources and infrastructure. This is hardly surprising, considering the country’s desperate position as it fights for survival against Russia. When you’re being bankrolled by foreign powers to stay afloat militarily, you’re hardly in a position to drive a hard bargain when those same powers come knocking for access to your valuable minerals. It’s the geopolitical equivalent of “beggars can’t be choosers.”
America’s Strategic Interest in Ukrainian Minerals
What’s really driving this deal is Ukraine’s considerable wealth in strategic minerals – with deposits of over 20 resources deemed critical by the United States, including titanium, lithium, and uranium. These materials are essential for everything from military equipment to green energy technologies, making them incredibly valuable to American interests. The Biden administration seems determined to secure access to these resources under the guise of “helping” Ukraine, while simultaneously creating new dependencies that will keep Ukraine firmly in the Western orbit regardless of how the war ends.
“We’re very focused on ensuring that the final draft of the agreement, after negotiations, fully aligns with our strategic interests,” Svyrydenko said. “I believe the work on the previous memorandum showed that both teams are capable of reaching these goals and agreeing on terms acceptable to both sides. – Yuliia Svyrydenko
The Real Cost of American “Aid”
The new draft from the U.S. outlines the creation and structure of an investment fund, but Ukraine’s actual role in managing it remains suspiciously unclear. This arrangement follows a familiar pattern of Western powers extracting valuable resources from desperate nations under the banner of “assistance.” It’s the oldest play in the geopolitical handbook – provide military aid with one hand while securing access to valuable natural resources with the other. And now American taxpayers get to foot the bill for both the weapons and the diplomatic maneuvering required to secure these minerals.
For a country that constantly pleads poverty when asking for billions in military aid, Ukraine’s ability to find $2.7 million for consultants on this deal speaks volumes about their true priorities. As Ukrainian officials work to ensure the final agreement “aligns with their strategic interests,” American citizens should be asking whether this arrangement actually aligns with ours – or if we’re simply funding both sides of a transaction that ultimately benefits the military-industrial complex and corporate interests. The establishment’s priorities couldn’t be clearer if they skywrote them.
