Ukraine’s Mining Communities Warn Trump: ‘Our Minerals Belong to Us, Not America

As the U.S. pushes for a share of Ukraine’s vast mineral wealth in exchange for military aid, communities in the country’s mining heartlands are voicing fierce resistance, fearing exploitation. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, negotiating a mineral revenue fund with Washington, insists the deal will be “equitable”—but locals in Kryvyi Rih and Zhovti Vody, where iron ore and uranium have fueled Ukraine’s economy for decades, distrust Trump’s motives.

Key Tensions:

• Trump’s Ultimatum: The U.S. president has threatened to cut military aid unless America benefits from Ukraine’s resources, including rare earths critical for modern tech.
• Local Backlash: In Kryvyi Rih (Zelenskiy’s hometown), pensioners like Oleksandr accuse the U.S. of wanting “only to take, not to give.”
• Zelenskiy’s Balancing Act: While PM Denys Shmyhal clarified the deal won’t repay past aid, critics like lawmaker Inna Sovsun warn against leveraging Ukraine’s wartime vulnerability.

Broader Stakes:

• Ukraine’s mineral revenues are a lifeline for its war-torn budget, with iron, coal, and uranium historically tied to national identity.
• The agreement risks alienating Ukrainians who believe they’ve shielded the West from Russia, only to face economic demands.