Trump's deal with Zelensky: surrender rare earth minerals or lose Starlink.

The art of the deal is about leverage: give me what I want or I break your arm. Trump said in early February that he wanted to strike a deal with Ukraine involving access to rare earth minerals in exchange for continued U.S. aid.

The deal reportedly sought a 50% stake in Ukraine's natural resources, including critical minerals, oil, and gas. The United States has threatened to cut off Ukraine's access to Starlink satellite internet terminals if Kyiv does not reach a deal with the U.S.

Starlink internet terminals play a crucial role in securing communications in the war in Ukraine. Ukraine said that approximately 42,000 terminals were in operation across the military, hospitals, businesses, and aid organizations. Loss of Starlink access would be devastating for Ukraine.

Checkmate.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

ElwoodBlues · M

@sree251 asks

Is there any other kind of protection

Yes indeed. Mutual protection treaties. Look up NATO for example.

sree251 · 41-45, M

@ElwoodBlues

Yes indeed. Mutual protection treaties. Look up NATO for example.

Mutual protection is a gangland ethos. Woke people like to run in a pack. You spineless lot have need to shore each other up.

ElwoodBlues · M

@sree251 Actually all your conservative heroes were big fans of mutual protection; NATO, SEATO, etc. What about your hero tRump? He's no conservative, he's a revanchist.

Some more for your perusal:
Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Republic of Korea
Signed in 1953, this treaty states that an attack on either country in the Pacific would be dangerous to the other's peace and safety.

Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan
Signed in 1960, this treaty states that an attack on either country would be dangerous to the other's peace and safety.

Mutual Defense Treaty Between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines
Signed in 1951, this treaty strengthens the economic and defensive ties between the two countries.

sree251 · 41-45, M

@ElwoodBlues

Actually all your conservative heroes were big fans of mutual protection; NATO, SEATO, etc. What about your hero tRump? He's no conservative, he's a revanchist.

Trump is an entrepreneur, a capitalist at heart, and a show businessman. He has transformed politics into popular entertainment. Are we having fun?

ElwoodBlues · M

@sree251 Nice attempt at changing the subject. Conservative presidents have entered into many long-lasting mutual protection treaties. Why don't you just cede the point; you know it's true.

sree251 · 41-45, M

@ElwoodBlues

Nice attempt at changing the subject. Conservative presidents have entered into many long-lasting mutual protection treaties. Why don't you just cede the point; you know it's true.

Trump is not a conservative president. He is not even a politician in the strict sense of that word. He has no interest in geopolitical organizations. He is just a dumbass American oligarch who deals with every situation in terms of Monopoly