Top Trump aide says Ukraine "must pay Americans back"
US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz stated that the US “deserves” repayment for its “investments” in the Ukraine conflict.
TroibNews 
US taxpayers “deserve to be recouped” for the billions of dollars Washington “invested” in the Ukraine conflict, according to US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, who recently spoke with Fox News. He emphasized that securing repayment from Ukraine would be the best way to ensure ongoing support for the country in the future.
Waltz's comments followed reports that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky had “politely declined” to sign a document that would grant the US rights to 50% of Ukraine’s future mineral reserves, as he was allegedly seeking a “better deal.” Recently, former US President Donald Trump demanded “the equivalent of $500 billion worth of rare earths” from Ukraine in exchange for the over $300 billion that Washington has provided in various forms of aid amid Ukraine's conflict with Russia.
“The American people deserve to be recouped, deserve to have some type of payback for the billions they have invested in this war,” Waltz stated. He argued that a partnership where the American people are made whole would help ease future investments.
He remarked that Zelensky “would be very wise to enter into this agreement with the United States.”
Zelensky has expressed a desire for a mutually beneficial “partnership” instead of merely conceding Ukraine’s natural resources. His prime minister, Denis Shmigal, has also suggested granting the EU access to Ukraine’s resources in exchange for cooperation and investment in the country's recovery.
Waltz contended that the US “has borne the brunt” of military and financial aid to Kiev. Since 2022, the US Congress has authorized approximately $175 billion for Ukraine, although much of this funding has been directed toward American industries and governmental initiatives related to the conflict. According to Germany’s Kiel Institute for the World Economy, by October 2024, the US had provided about $92 billion in financial and military assistance to Ukraine, while EU countries and the UK collectively committed $131 billion.
A 2024 World Economic Forum report highlighted Ukraine’s “immense potential as a major global supplier of critical raw materials” vital for defense, high-tech, and green energy sectors. Ukraine possesses the largest titanium and lithium reserves in Europe, although these do not fall under the category of rare-earth elements.
Zelensky has previously acknowledged that a significant portion of Ukraine’s mineral-rich land is currently under Russian control. Forbes estimates that approximately $7 trillion in mineral wealth from Ukraine is located in regions such as the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, which became part of Russia in 2022.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
Waltz's comments followed reports that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky had “politely declined” to sign a document that would grant the US rights to 50% of Ukraine’s future mineral reserves, as he was allegedly seeking a “better deal.” Recently, former US President Donald Trump demanded “the equivalent of $500 billion worth of rare earths” from Ukraine in exchange for the over $300 billion that Washington has provided in various forms of aid amid Ukraine's conflict with Russia.
“The American people deserve to be recouped, deserve to have some type of payback for the billions they have invested in this war,” Waltz stated. He argued that a partnership where the American people are made whole would help ease future investments.
He remarked that Zelensky “would be very wise to enter into this agreement with the United States.”
Zelensky has expressed a desire for a mutually beneficial “partnership” instead of merely conceding Ukraine’s natural resources. His prime minister, Denis Shmigal, has also suggested granting the EU access to Ukraine’s resources in exchange for cooperation and investment in the country's recovery.
Waltz contended that the US “has borne the brunt” of military and financial aid to Kiev. Since 2022, the US Congress has authorized approximately $175 billion for Ukraine, although much of this funding has been directed toward American industries and governmental initiatives related to the conflict. According to Germany’s Kiel Institute for the World Economy, by October 2024, the US had provided about $92 billion in financial and military assistance to Ukraine, while EU countries and the UK collectively committed $131 billion.
A 2024 World Economic Forum report highlighted Ukraine’s “immense potential as a major global supplier of critical raw materials” vital for defense, high-tech, and green energy sectors. Ukraine possesses the largest titanium and lithium reserves in Europe, although these do not fall under the category of rare-earth elements.
Zelensky has previously acknowledged that a significant portion of Ukraine’s mineral-rich land is currently under Russian control. Forbes estimates that approximately $7 trillion in mineral wealth from Ukraine is located in regions such as the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, which became part of Russia in 2022.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
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