Modern MBA

History Repeats: The Flawed Economics of Ukraine's Minerals (2025x4)

Air date: Mar 22, 2025

War is a battle over information as much as it is about logistics, territory, and bodies. Much has been said of the potential mineral deal between the United States and Ukraine. The Trump administration has made it clear that Ukraine must sign this deal in order to secure continued support from the United States. They’ve asserted that this deal is how Ukraine will pay back for all the hundreds of billions in aid that’s been sent their way. With the speed of the news cycle, it’s impossible to separate propaganda from the substance. All the reporting is big on headlines and light on nuance. Numbers are thrown around like candy and technical names are tossed like buzzwords. The Ukrainians proclaim that they have $13-15 trillion worth of minerals - so paying back billions to the U.S. will be easy - it’s just that they need security guarantees.