US aims to reintegrate Russia into global economy after war – WSJ
US aims to reintegrate Russia into global economy after war (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The administration of US President Donald Trump plans to bring Russia back into the global economy after the war in Ukraine ends. The United States has already shared these plans with European countries in recent weeks, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The White House has already provided European officials with plans outlining both a vision for Ukraine's postwar reconstruction and for reintegrating Russia into the global economy. Among other things, the Trump administration shared plans from American financial companies and corporations regarding Russia's frozen assets, totaling approximately $200 billion.
The Americans want to take control of the Russian assets, but not simply to seize them — they intend to use the funds for projects in Ukraine. Plans include building a large data-processing center that would operate on power supplied by the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
US officials argue that Europe's approach to providing Ukraine with a reparations-backed loan would quickly exhaust Russia's frozen funds. Meanwhile, the US proposes involving financial industry leaders and billionaires in Ukraine's reconstruction.
According to the White House, this approach could at least double the available recovery budget — from 200 to 400 billion dollars. Some officials even suggest the total could reach $800 billion.
The US also has a plan to bring Russia's economy out of isolation. American companies would invest heavily in rare earth mineral extraction and oil production in the Arctic region. At the same time, the US intends to help Russia restore oil and gas supplies to Western Europe and other parts of the world.
Reaction in Europe
European officials who reviewed the US plans were outraged and concerned. One source told the publication that there is generally no confidence that these US proposals should be taken seriously at all.
Sources speaking to the newspaper compared the White House's ambitions to Trump's earlier boasting about a future Riviera-style complex in the Gaza Strip. This idea stalled at the initial discussion stage. Another official said that the proposed United States–Russia energy arrangements resemble how the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America divided Europe in 1945.
In addition, Europe believes that, if implemented, the US ideas would give Russia the respite it needs to revive its economy and strengthen its military power, thereby threatening future war.
Meanwhile, Ukraine, on December 10, submitted to the administration of US President Donald Trump its step-by-step response to the latest draft of the American peace plan. The Ukrainian response includes comments and proposed amendments — specifically regarding the status of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the temporarily occupied territories.
It is known that Ukraine and the United States have not yet reached an agreement on the territorial issue. The US is attempting to pressure Ukraine to cede Donbas to Russia, while Ukraine refuses to do so. European leaders, including Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron, are expected to meet in Germany on December 15 to discuss the peace plan.
Also on December 10, the first meeting of Ukraine and the United States on joint work on the postwar recovery document took place. In an online format, the parties discussed several details of Ukraine's postwar reconstruction.
