In the Oval Office, Trump’s unprovoked attack against Zelenskyy was unconscionable.  A columnist defended Trump claiming his purpose was to stop the war, continuing, absolute assurance Russia would have no sway over Ukraine.  

No such claim was stated during that Oval Office Trumped-up debacle.  I call that a balloon statement.  The more air one blows into it, the more it looks impressive but without substance.

The columnist did not know the contractual constructs yet claimed its value.  What is meant by “have no sway over?”  No sway over Zelenskyy, over resources, over the people, etc.?  Could that mean unconditional?  

One thing which is absolute is that the agreement was conditional in two major ways.  Keep in mind that supporting Ukraine has been non-conditional and should therefore be non-negotiable.  Yet, Trump threatened to end all aid if Zelenskyy refused being totally subjugated.  I call that extortion.

One condition was the negotiations of mineral and rare earth metals for the United States.  That could reach past $1 trillion.  

Here is how extortion works.  A gangster sells protection for a business owner.  If he pays, they promise to give him no trouble.  However, there is no guarantee they would step in if their buddies rob and mistreat the owner.  In short, selling protection with no guarantees.  Take it or suffer the consequences is the unspoken guarantee.  It’s the gangster’s way, and Trump knows it well.

Zelenskyy saw through this immediately.  Did you not hear him ask what guarantees he had?  Did you not hear him state that Putin had broken all 25 previous contracts he had with Ukraine?  

Put yourself in Zelenskyy’s shoes.  Would you sign such a one-sided contract that rips away half your country’s wealth leaving you with no protection, guarantees or recourse?  Would a lawyer allow his client to sign such an atrocity?

This brings up one other legal matter.  Trump and Putin worked on this contract or agreement behind closed doors.  They excluded the main person, Zelenskyy.  Think about this for a minute.  They wanted the element of surprise and spring it on him at the last minute.  They know Zelenskyy, with his country in ruins, desires an end to this killing Puttin started.  And finally, with Zelenskyy knowing what was going on with those two, he had to decline for the good.

Imperative to keep in mind that this contractual negotiation purposely excluded Zelenskyy.  Notwithstanding Ukraine has the greater concern and need in this matter.  What was going on between Ukrainian’s major supporter and Ukraine’s greatest enemy behind Zelenskyy’s back?  Trump lacks transparency, which by now, is common knowledge.  What can Zelenskyy expect from such conduct?

All money given by the United States through Congress during Biden’s administration had no strings attached.  If anything, it was a wise investment for America and its allies to help keep Putin in check.  That in itself was repayment enough for any contributions.  Yet, Trump and MAGA dares to take credit.  They had nothing to do with that money but use it as a bargaining chip.  

My mother periodically gave her sister gifts of money for necessities such as food and shelter.  After her death, would it be ethical of me to demand favors of my aunt because of my mother’s cash gifts?  No.  Therefore, what makes this Trump deal ethical?  On top of which, Trump gave Zelenskyy no assurances whatsoever.

Did you notice, Trump kept ignoring Zelenskyy’s plea that Putin broke all 25 agreements in the past?  Zelenskyy is smart enough to wonder what agreements did Trump and Putin make?  Zelenskyy was kept in the dark.

The Ukrainian territory Russia now occupies is rich with minerals and rare earth metals.  The estimated value is 26 trillion U.S. dollars.  Trump wants 50 percent of that without any peace guarantees.  Compare this with the total contributions U.S. gave to Ukraine:  68.4 billion dollars in military aid and 53.44 billion dollars in humanitarian aid totaling 121.84 billion dollars.  In other words, Trump is demanding $12.973 trillion from an investment of $53.44 billion that Biden’s administration put through.

Putting this into perspective.  $121.85 billion to help Ukrainians in need should be a gift.  A whopping $880 billion ripped away from needy Americans on Medicaid to give to the ultra-rich.  Don’t get blindsided by inconsequential arguments coming from MAGA.

The obverse of the coin is that the Biden aid we provided came from our military stockpile.  This in turn produced more jobs and prosperity for Americans; a win win situation.  Look it up.