The United States has significantly revised its estimate of aid provided to Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion, lowering the figure from $300 billion to approximately $100 billion, according to a report by Bloomberg News citing sources familiar with the matter.
The recalculated figure comes as former President Donald Trump seeks to secure a bilateral minerals deal with Ukraine—framed both as part of a broader peace initiative to end the war and as a mechanism to recoup funds spent on military assistance to Kyiv. Though the aid was not structured as a loan, Trump has voiced concerns over the vast sums committed to Ukraine’s defence and sees the potential mineral partnership as a way to balance the ledger.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy described recent discussions with the US on the minerals deal as “positive,” adding that further meetings were expected. The White House has not responded to media inquiries regarding the negotiations.
Last month, the Trump administration proposed a new and broader minerals agreement. While it offers no formal security guarantees for Ukraine, the deal would require Kyiv to deposit all income generated from natural resource exploitation—whether by state-run or private companies—into a joint US-Ukraine investment fund.
The proposed arrangement reflects shifting US policy interests in the region, aiming to leverage Ukraine’s rich reserves of rare earths and other valuable resources. It also signals a move toward more economically driven diplomacy, even as Ukraine continues to seek military and humanitarian support in its struggle against Russian aggression.
The potential minerals deal remains under discussion, and its terms—as well as its implications for Ukraine’s sovereignty over its natural assets—are likely to draw scrutiny both domestically and internationally.
Melissa Encoh
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