The White House continued in its efforts to engage with Russia and Ukraine. A top US diplomat traveled to Russia to speak with President Vladimir Putin. While US and Ukrainian officials met in Washington to discuss a deal that will give the US access to the profits from Ukraine’s natural resources.
A Ukrainian delegation arrived in the US on Friday for two days of talks on a natural resources deal. According to the New York Times, the deal offered by Washington will give the US access to all profits from sales of Ukraine’s natural resources, including gas, oil and rare earth minerals.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that he expects the deal will allow the US to recoup the hundreds of billions of dollars in aid Washington sent to Kiev during the Joe Biden administration. Under the current offer put forward by the White House, Kiev will pay the US 4% interest.
The Times reports that the deal will also give the US the “right of first offer” on new ventures and Washington would have veto power on any third country looking to invest in Ukraine’s natural resources.
The offer does not include a security guarantee for Ukraine. However, US officials have said that if Ukraine signs the deal, Washington will have additional economic incentives to support Kiev.
The current deal Trump has put on the table is far harsher than the one that was offered to Zelensky during his trip to the White House at the end of February. That agreement was not signed after Trump, Zelensky, and Vice President JD Vance argued in front of the media in the Oval Office.
At the time, Trump criticized Zelensky for not wanting to make an agreement to end the war in Ukraine. However, in recent weeks, Trump has increasingly placed the blame on Putin. On Friday, Trump posted on Truth Social, “Russia has to get moving. Too many people are DYING, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war.”
Trump’s post followed talks between US and Russian officials in Turkey on Thursday that both sides described as positive. On Friday, Trump’s Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff traveled to St. Petersburg for talks with Putin.
A US official speaking with Axios said that Trump has set the end of the month as a deadline for Moscow to agree to a ceasefire. The White House is considering additional sanctions on Russia if the Kremlin fails to make a deal by that time.
Kyle Anzalone is the opinion editor of Antiwar.com and news editor of the Libertarian Institute. He hosts The Kyle Anzalone Show and is co-host of Conflicts of Interest with Connor Freeman.
Why would Russia agree to a ceasefire? They've won this war. And really, sanctions, because they've worked so well thus far?
What does winning look like to Russia?
Wow…! Trump is actually capable of saying that…! Only if he could say the same about Gaza…!
And here is his very own words on the subject.
This is Trump asking Putin to have mercy on the Ukrainian troops in Kursk:
"I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared. This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II," he said.
This is Trump threatening the civilians in Gaza:
“Also, to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD! Make a SMART decision.”
Trump is threatening Russia with sanctions, and Iran with sanctions and military strikes if no Deal is reached…! Russia is essentially in the same boat as Iran and these facts would bring them even closer than what they are now, which would alarm US…!
A US official speaking with Axios said that Trump has set the end of the month as a deadline for Moscow to agree to a ceasefire. The White House is considering additional sanctions on Russia if the Kremlin fails to make a deal by that time.
What a bag of fucking wind.
The Ukrainians have offered their resources and reneged on the offer repeatedly. It's a disingenuous shell game designed to milk America and Europe for $Billions more to go into Zelensky's pocket along with the other Ukrainian criminals.
Soon Zelensky will be running to Israel with his ill-gotten stolen $Billions!
https://www.rt.com/news/615638-putin-witkoff-talks-russia/
Is it perhaps the most compelling first proposal Russian President Vladimir Putin could've offered to Special Envoy Steve Witkoff was for Ukraine to hold a special election, allowing citizens to decide whether they wanted to join Russia?
That doesn't mean Russia would agree to absorb them. It's the ultimate democratic principle from the only country that's absorbing citizens from countries averse to such principles.
When will Volodymyr Zelensky resign? How would one interpret a four-hour discussion as being substantively positive?
Any money paid to Ukraine is wasted.
April 12, 2025 Lavrov: Multipolarity is Undeniable and Inevitable – Antalya Diplomacy Forum
https://youtu.be/8IElc_ucpu0?si=rRaY0_p7_hemAci2