Donald Trump, according to The Telegraph, is reportedly preparing to offer Vladimir Putin access to strategic deposits in Alaska and occupied Donbas in exchange for ending the war. Ukrainian political scientist Jewhen Mahda warns that a post‑truth era even the most fantastical scenarios can seem real, and true threats to Ukraine lie elsewhere.
Donald Trump is set to meet Vladimir Putin on Friday. According to the British newspaper The Telegraph, the former U.S. president is preparing a package of proposals designed to persuade Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
According to sources cited by the Telegraph, the offer includes, among others, granting Russia access to rare minerals in Alaska and territories in Ukraine occupied by the Russian army.
Among these is lithium – a key raw material in battery production – of which Ukraine holds roughly 10% of global reserves. The two largest deposits are located in the occupied territories.
Alaska, Donbas and Rare Minerals
In May this year the United States signed a rare minerals extraction agreement with Ukraine. Implementing these plans, however, requires new investments and technology, and a partnership with Russia could, according to American sources at the Telegraph, accelerate the entire process.
The Telegraph also reports that Trump is willing to consider lifting sanctions on the Russian aviation sector. The West imposed restrictions on spare parts and equipment supplies after the full‑scale invasion began in 2022, forcing Russian airlines to cannibalise old aircraft. Removing supply could benefit the American Boeing.
Trump’s proposals also include opening Russian access to resources in the Bering Strait area, where significant oil and gas deposits are estimated to exist.
Politologue from Kyiv: Russia, Beijing and Washington Play the Same Game
In a conversation with Gazeta.pl, Ukrainian political scientist and director of the Institute of World Politics Jewhen Mahda assessed that the mere fact that rumors about such a controversial proposal can sound credible says a lot about today’s political climate. “I think we are witnessing a very interesting situation in which Russia very effectively exploits the fact that there are now three post‑truth centers: Moscow, Beijing and Washington,” the expert said.
Mahda explicitly stresses that he does not believe in the authenticity of reports about alleged Donald Trump proposals for Vladimir Putin. “But in the current environment, every informational assumption can be perceived as reality. Donald Trump’s conduct is such that even the most fantastical scenarios seem possible. That’s why we find ourselves in this situation,” he explains.
The expert points out that under such circumstances a cool and realistic analysis of events is crucial. “Ukraine must view these reports soberly and be aware that everything depends on the situation on the front and on the public’s understanding that ultimately we ourselves are responsible for our future,” Mahda said.
Mahda also notes the enormous influx of information that in recent weeks has reached unprecedented intensity. “Now so many different communications, rumors and leaks reach us that it’s easy to become lost in all of it. That’s why it’s essential to verify everything that comes to public opinion and not be misled by spectacular headlines,” he emphasizes.
Mahda adds that in the current situation not only Ukraine but also foreign observers should exercise caution. “For Poland and other European countries it is essential not to treat such reports as a guarantee and always seek confirmation in facts, not in media speculation,” he advises.
The expert concludes that regardless of what the media say, real politics and state strength on the frontlines are what really determine Ukraine’s future. “It is not rumors about rare minerals or secret agreements that will decide the outcome of this war, but the actions and determination of Ukrainians,” Mahda said.
