Written by-Andrey Kurkov. He is a Ukrainian novelist and the author of Death and the Penguin
The weather in Kyiv is beginning to warm, with temperatures increasing from -5°C to 4°C. Occasionally, the sun breaks through the clouds, yet the residents of Kyiv do not seem particularly uplifted by the brief appearances of sunlight. Unlike in previous years, they are not eagerly anticipating the arrival of spring at this time. Instead, the prevailing mood in the city and across the nation is one of anxious anticipation. This expectation does not pertain to a resolution of military conflict or the signing of a peace agreement with Russia; rather, it is vague and seems to be linked to Donald Trump and shifts in U.S. policy regarding Ukraine.
Today’s unsettling events at the White House provided some clarity: amidst handshakes, thumbs up, and fist pumps from the U.S. president, Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy convened to negotiate a minerals-for-military-support arrangement, which also served to belittle Zelenskyy. Concurrently, air raid sirens were sounding in northern and eastern Ukraine. The discussions were abruptly concluded, and Zelenskyy departed.
What unfolded before the cameras was both chilling and remarkable. Zelenskyy appeared grave, angry, and desperate, embodying the plight of a leader forced to negotiate away his nation’s sovereignty. Trump positioned himself as the impartial mediator, asserting, “I am not aligned with anybody. I am aligned with the world.” He expressed gratitude to a man who has witnessed the slaughter of his people and the occupation of his land, urging, “Make a deal or we’re out.”
The situation has deteriorated further. Zelenskyy presented him with images depicting the horrors of war. “I believe President Trump is aligned with us,” he remarked, lacking any genuine optimism and certainly no belief in the veracity of that statement. Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelenskyy for his perceived disrespect. Both Trump and Vance verbally assailed him for the cameras, embodying the current approach to negotiation: aggressive, domineering, unfeeling, and devoid of compassion.
However, the faith of Ukrainians in a definitive proposal from Trump to resolve the conflict had already shifted to the realization that the president possessed no such strategy. Instead, he harbored a multitude of ideas regarding U.S. involvement in the region—ideas that occasionally pertain to Ukraine but often contradict one another and fail to prioritize support for a nation suffering from Russian aggression.
In recent weeks, the discourse surrounding the resolution of the Russian-Ukrainian war has morphed into a discussion about rare earth metal mining within our borders. It has come to light that during negotiations in Saudi Arabia, participants from Russia and the U.S. also deliberated on the extraction of rare earth metals, specifically focusing on resources located in Russian territories and the occupied regions of Ukraine. This shift has relegated the topics of war and military assistance to Ukraine to the background, overshadowed now by financial interests.
Elderly Ukrainians, who were raised in the Soviet Union, have recognized in this scenario the United States as portrayed by Soviet propaganda: a nation of avaricious, reckless capitalists, fixated solely on maximizing profits while disregarding complex issues.
This conflict represents a profound existential struggle and marks a new phase in reality. President Trump asserts that President Zelenskyy is “not ready for peace,” yet Ukraine finds itself compelled to continue fighting, regardless of the sacrifices required. Aid that was once provided unconditionally must now be compensated for. In the absence of financial resources, Ukraine must resort to utilizing its own assets. After three years of extensive Russian aggression, the geopolitical interests of the United States in Ukraine have shifted towards financial motivations. The political figure of President Biden has been supplanted by the business-oriented approach of President Trump.
It is noteworthy that the U.S. proposal concerning the extraction of rare earth metals in Ukraine, if implemented, could enable the U.S. to establish a similar agreement with Russia, allowing for resource extraction to commence without waiting for the cessation of hostilities. This concept involves an “investment fund,” co-managed by the U.S. and Ukraine on an “equal basis,” where Ukraine would allocate 50% of future revenues from state-owned mineral resources, oil, and gas to enhance the safety, security, and prosperity of the nation. Trump claims this arrangement is “very fair.”
The situation has further deteriorated. Zelenskyy presented Trump with images illustrating the brutal realities of war. “I believe President Trump is aligned with us,” he stated, though his words lacked genuine optimism and conviction. Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelenskyy for what he perceived as a lack of respect. Both Trump and Vance publicly admonished him, reflecting the current negotiation style: aggressive, domineering, and devoid of empathy.
Nevertheless, the hope of Ukrainians for a concrete proposal from Trump to resolve the conflict has waned, leading to the understanding that the president lacks a coherent strategy. Instead, he possesses a variety of ideas regarding U.S. involvement in the region—some of which relate to Ukraine but often contradict each other and do not prioritize support for a nation enduring Russian aggression.
In recent weeks, the conversation regarding the resolution of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict has shifted towards the topic of rare earth metal mining within national borders. It has emerged that during discussions in Saudi Arabia, representatives from both Russia and the United States engaged in talks concerning the extraction of rare earth metals, particularly those found in Russian territories and the regions of Ukraine currently under occupation. This development has pushed discussions about the war and military support for Ukraine into the background, now overshadowed by financial motivations.
Elderly Ukrainians, who grew up during the Soviet era, have come to view the United States through the lens of Soviet propaganda: as a nation of greedy, reckless capitalists, solely focused on profit maximization while neglecting intricate issues.
Will it cease its aggression? No! Does it provide security guarantees for Ukraine? It appears not. Does Ukraine have any viable options? This remains a matter of debate.
In this context, Britain and the European Union have become significantly more crucial partners for Ukraine than previously. While facilitating favorable access to Ukrainian resources for the United States, Trump seems to be shifting the responsibility for Ukraine’s security to Europe and Britain in the event of a cessation of hostilities, as well as for ongoing military support. Given this scenario, the benefits of an agreement concerning rare earth metals for Ukraine remain unclear.
Trump’s assertion that U.S. mining operations on Ukrainian soil would serve as a sufficient guarantee of Ukraine’s security, based on the premise that Russia would refrain from attacking U.S. economic interests, is fundamentally flawed. The Chinese state-owned COFCO corporation invested in a new grain and oil handling facility at Ukraine’s Mykolaiv port; however, this investment did not shield the port from Russian missile strikes. Since March 2022, the facility has been non-operational, resulting in a loss of approximately 40% of the region’s revenue.
The manner in which Trump has expressed admiration for Vladimir Putin while displaying animosity towards Zelenskyy speaks volumes. Trump stated, “I believe he will honor his commitments,” emphasizing his long-standing acquaintance with Putin. His assertion that peace will be reached “fairly soon or not at all” suggests a reluctance to engage in prolonged negotiations with Putin, particularly if the terms proposed are unacceptable to Ukraine. Notably, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has already outlined certain conditions, reiterating Russia’s intention to capture the entirety of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
While Zelenskyy has shown commendable courage, the current situation positions us as supplicants. Both Trump and the Kremlin have made it clear that Ukraine’s involvement in the discussions between the United States and Russia is neither necessary nor welcome. The principle articulated by Biden, “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,” has been disregarded. Zelenskyy was invited to the White House to sign agreements but was not afforded the opportunity to voice his concerns.
Trump has effectively altered Ukraine’s status from a participant to an object of negotiation. Following this humiliation at the White House, some Ukrainians fear that the extraction of rare earth metals under Trump’s conditions could reduce our nation to a “colony” of the United States. Nevertheless, many Ukrainians would still prefer to exist as a US colony rather than under Russian dominion, should that be the available option.
