In recent weeks, President Donald Trump's administration has provided its European counterparts with a number of one-page documents presenting the American view on the reconstruction of Ukraine and Russia's return to the global economy, the daily reports.
“The proposals have sparked a fierce battle at the negotiating table between America and its traditional allies in Europe. The outcome could significantly change the economic map of the continent,” we read.
The article continues below the video
What does the US peace plan for Ukraine include?
What funds are to be used for the reconstruction of Ukraine?
How did European officials react to the US proposals?
What sectors should American companies invest in?
The American plan of action was presented in the annexes to the peace proposals regarding Ukraine. The attachments were not made public, but their contents were described to the Journal by officials from the United States and Europe.
The documents contain plans of American companies, to use approximately USD 200 billion. Russian frozen assets for the implementation of projects in Ukraine. For example, it was planned to build a huge data center that would be powered by the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant, currently occupied by Russian forces.
The daily recalled that representatives of European authorities would like to use Russian frozen assets blocked in European institutions to help Ukraine purchase weapons and to ensure that the government, which is running out of money, can continue to function.
European officials shocked by US proposals
American companies would also invest in Russian strategic sectors, such as rare earth minerals extraction and oil exploration in the Arctic region. American entities would also help restore Russian energy supplies to Western Europe and the rest of the world.
Some European officials who saw the documents said they were unsure whether to take some of the proposals seriously. One of the interlocutors compared it to Trump's idea to build a riviera in the Gaza Strip. Another, referring to the issue of Russian energy, said that it was the economic version of “Yalta”.
European officials fear such an approach would give Russia the break it needs to stimulate its economy and strengthen its military position.
