The war in Ukraine has dragged on for three years, fueled by corruption, reckless leadership, and the unwillingness of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to seek real peace. Billions of American taxpayer dollars have been funneled into Ukraine, with little to no accountability. Now, with President Donald Trump back in office, a real opportunity exists to bring this war to an end—but not without securing fair compensation for America’s sacrifices.
The Need for a New Approach
Under Joe Biden’s administration, the U.S. poured billions into Ukraine without any meaningful oversight. Zelensky, rather than negotiating a realistic settlement, has consistently pushed for more aid, more weapons, and unrealistic military objectives, all while his government failed to provide a clear accounting of where the money has gone. The Biden administration, instead of pushing for an end to hostilities, has acted as a blank check for Ukraine’s endless demands, allowing this war to spiral further.
Trump, inaugurated for his second term on January 20, has already taken a radically different approach. As reported by BBC, he immediately opened direct communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin, something Biden failed to do effectively. Trump’s administration, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, is pushing for peace talks with Russia in Saudi Arabia—talks that must include Ukraine but not on Zelensky’s unrealistic terms.
Zelensky’s Self-Serving War Effort
Zelensky has become the ultimate war profiteer. While his country suffers, his administration continues to demand endless aid with little accountability. According to Times of India, Trump’s team has proposed that Ukraine should compensate the United States with a share of its vast mineral resources—a completely reasonable request given the billions of dollars that have been sent to Kyiv. However, Zelensky refuses to agree, preferring to keep the aid pipeline open without any strings attached.
Meanwhile, he has actively undermined peace efforts. Rather than seizing opportunities for negotiation, Zelensky has instead used fear-mongering, claiming that Russia is preparing for another offensive. This rhetoric serves only to justify his continued demands for American money and weapons. At the same time, he has pushed NATO membership knowing full well that such a move would only prolong the war rather than secure a lasting peace.
Putin’s Role and the Reality of War
Putin, of course, is no innocent player in this. His full-scale invasion in 2022 was an act of aggression, and his intentions toward Ukraine remain self-serving. But while Biden and Zelensky have failed to act rationally, Trump understands the reality of power dynamics. If Putin sees an opportunity to end the war on terms that do not threaten Russian security, he may take it. The Biden administration never even tried to work toward this outcome—instead, it continued to escalate tensions.
Now, with Trump in charge, the focus is on ending the war, not prolonging it for political or financial gain. CNN reports that Trump’s team is sidelining Europe in these negotiations, an acknowledgment that too many voices have previously obstructed meaningful progress. Instead, his administration is streamlining talks between the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine.
America Deserves Compensation
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz is correct: The United States has poured billions into Ukraine, and it’s time to be repaid. Ukraine is one of the most resource-rich nations in Europe, sitting atop vast reserves of lithium, titanium, and rare earth minerals—resources that are critical to modern industries, including defense, technology, and energy. The potential wealth locked within Ukraine’s soil is estimated to be worth trillions of dollars, yet the country continues to rely on Western aid rather than leveraging its own assets for its survival.
Trump’s approach of securing a stake in Ukraine’s vast mineral wealth in exchange for continued U.S. support is not only fair but strategically necessary. Rare earth elements, in particular, are crucial to the production of semiconductors, electric vehicles, and military equipment, all of which the United States needs to maintain its technological and defense superiority. Instead of pouring money into an endless war with no return, Trump is making it clear that any further U.S. assistance must come with a tangible benefit to American taxpayers.
A structured repayment plan could involve long-term mineral contracts, preferential export agreements, or even joint ventures with American companies to extract and refine these valuable resources. This would not only help Ukraine develop its economy but also ensure that America gets a fair return on the billions it has already invested. If Zelensky refuses such an arrangement, then it raises the question: Does he truly want peace and stability, or is he simply looking to keep the money flowing indefinitely without accountability?
The Path to Peace
Trump is doing what Biden never could—bringing the war to an end through strength and negotiation. His approach acknowledges reality: Ukraine is not joining NATO, Russia is not going to be completely defeated militarily, and the United States should not be endlessly funding a foreign war with no return.
Biden’s failure to push for peace earlier and Zelensky’s reckless demands have made this war last far longer than necessary. Now, with Trump in charge, there is finally a path forward. But make no mistake—if Zelensky refuses to engage in reasonable negotiations and instead continues to demand money without accountability, the U.S. should rethink its commitment entirely.
This war must end, and Trump is the only leader willing to make that happen. The days of blank checks are over, and it’s time for Ukraine to step up and show whether it actually wants peace—or just more American money.
Disclaimer: This is an opinion piece reflecting the views of the author. The analysis and perspectives provided are based on available reports and political viewpoints. Readers are encouraged to consider multiple sources and perspectives when forming their own conclusions on this topic.
