Zelenskyy, Trump, and the deal with the devil by Thanos Kalamidas

In the swirling chaos of global geopolitics, where history often repeats itself in more disguised, insidious forms, the signing of a rare minerals deal between Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the United States could mark a monumental shift in the modern-day power dynamics. But behind the public façade of diplomacy, we must ask ourselves: Is the deal merely a necessary evil, or is it an unholy partnership, one that could irreversibly stain Zelenskyy’s legacy? Worse still, does this deal make Donald Trump the contemporary Leopold II of Belgium?

Let’s first recall who Leopold II was: the king who, under the guise of bringing civilization to the Congo, created one of the most horrifying exploitative systems in history. He turned the Congo into his personal fiefdom, extracting wealth at the expense of millions of lives, driven by his insatiable greed for rubber and ivory. His actions left scars that have yet to heal. And today, many in the world consider Leopold’s rule to be the epitome of colonial brutality.

Fast forward to the 21st century, and we find Donald Trump, the former US president, positioning himself not as a ruler but as an entrepreneur, striking deals and reaping the spoils of a different kind of empire, the empire of resource extraction and manipulation. The rare earth minerals of which we now speak are a vital component in everything from smartphones to electric cars, and their geopolitical importance has exploded in the wake of global tech demands. These minerals, many of which are found in abundance in Ukraine, are now the new battlefield in a world where controlling resources is synonymous with controlling power. And just like Leopold’s brutal extraction of Congo’s natural wealth, those minerals come at a significant cost.

What makes this new “rare minerals deal” so chilling is the reality that Trump, with his aggressive transactional politics and history of exploitation, might be the one who stands to benefit the most. His business dealings, tainted by shady investments and murky financial ties, indicate that, while the West might be talking about supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty, in reality, Trump’s involvement in securing such deals raises serious ethical questions. How much does Zelenskyy really have to compromise to secure his nation’s survival against Russian aggression? And how far is he willing to go to placate the powers that be, especially when those powers are as unpredictable and self-interested as Trump?

Make no mistake: this isn't about idealism. This is about control. The rare minerals under Ukrainian soil are coveted by the likes of the US and China, and as these superpowers continue their tug-of-war over resources, Ukraine’s position becomes more precarious by the day. The minerals, vital for the green revolution we hear so much about, could easily become the new rubber, extracted, exploited, and traded as though they belong to no one, and yet everyone at the same time.

Trump, much like Leopold II before him, is a figure whose leadership comes with an air of self-serving opportunism. From his real estate empire to his handling of international relations, he is no stranger to leveraging power for personal or political gain. His past dealings with foreign governments, from questionable connections with Russia to his willingness to overlook human rights violations for economic opportunities, point to a pattern of behaviour that could be mirrored in a rare minerals deal with Ukraine.

Zelenskyy, on the other hand, finds himself in a desperate position. The war with Russia is a war of attrition, and like any leader facing an existential threat to his nation, he has to play the hand he’s been dealt. The West, led by figures like Trump, holds the cards that Ukraine desperately needs; military support, financial aid, and now, the resources buried beneath its soil. Zelenskyy might be compelled to make deals that compromise his country’s long-term autonomy, the way many leaders have done before him under duress.

This is where the comparison to Leopold II becomes most relevant. The resources being extracted from Ukraine will be used to fuel industries in the West, particularly in the United States, without giving Ukraine much more than the false promises of future prosperity. While Zelenskyy may publicly advocate for Ukraine’s sovereignty, the deal he signs may ultimately bind his country into a system of neo-imperial control. It could be the latest in a long line of deals that trade the blood of a nation for the wealth of a few, leaving the Ukrainian people with little but broken promises and a poisoned future.

Trump’s potential involvement in this process serves as a stark reminder of how global power structures operate. It’s not just about the minerals; it’s about the power dynamics, the leverage that those in charge hold over countries like Ukraine. And as the US and Trump, see these minerals as yet another avenue for geopolitical and economic dominance, the similarities to the colonial powers of the past are too striking to ignore.

In the end, Zelenskyy must ask himself: will he become a modern-day king of his country, or will he become a pawn in a game of global exploitation? And as for Trump, well, his legacy may be cemented as the contemporary Leopold II, a man who, under the guise of making deals, may be one of the most significant players in a new era of resource exploitation and neo-imperialism. The question we must all answer is: Are we prepared to let this happen again, or will we finally stand up to the forces of greed and domination that have shaped history for far too long?