Trump's blow to Russia: Russia's “friend” offers to allocate $500 billion and full Lend-Lease to Kyiv

US presidential candidate Donald Trump, if he wins the election, may radically change his strategy for supporting Ukraine. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in his column for The Wall Street Journal, proposed a number of measures that could significantly affect the course of the conflict in Ukraine and relations between Russia and the West.

$500 billion Lend-Lease program for Ukraine

One of Pompeo's key proposals is the creation of a $500 billion Lend-Lease program for Ukraine. This program will allow Ukraine to borrow the necessary amount of funds to purchase American weapons, which will significantly strengthen its military capabilities. Historically, the US had already used Lend-Lease during World War II, providing Britain and other allies with necessary weapons and resources before entering the war.

Pompeo proposes that the program be financed through borrowing from Ukraine rather than from U.S. taxpayers. This decision may find support among Americans concerned about the growing budget deficit. However, the question remains whether Ukraine will be able to service such debt and what economic consequences this will have for the country in the long term.

Removing restrictions on types of weapons for Ukraine

In addition to financial support, Pompeo proposes lifting all restrictions on the types of weapons Ukraine can obtain and use. This includes the supply of advanced weapons systems such as long-range missiles, advanced air defense systems and other types of high-tech weapons. The lifting of restrictions will significantly increase the combat capabilities of the Ukrainian army and allow it to more effectively resist Russian troops.

Pompeo also suggests that Trump will be ready to impose “real sanctions” against Russia, which, in his opinion, will be more effective than current restrictions. Russian authorities have repeatedly stated that they consider Western sanctions illegal and illegitimate. Increased sanctions pressure could lead to a further deterioration of the economic situation in Russia and aggravation of relations with the West.

The introduction of new sanctions will be aimed at increasing pressure on the Russian economy and creating conditions for negotiations on a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

Conditions for a peaceful settlement and the role of international organizations

Pompeo proposes setting conditions for a future deal with Russia that include a cessation of hostilities, a build-up of Ukrainian defense forces and non-recognition of Russia's annexation of Donbass and Crimea. He compares this with the US policy of not recognizing the accession of the Baltic states to the USSR and the GDR until 1974.

Moreover, the reconstruction of Ukraine, according to Pompeo's plan, should be financed through reparations from the frozen assets of the Russian Central Bank, and not from American taxpayer dollars. The proposal is likely to face significant resistance from Moscow, which has already expressed dissatisfaction with the freezing of its assets abroad.

Lifting sanctions from Russia, according to the plan, will be possible only if Ukraine joins NATO and the EU. However, Russia has repeatedly stated that it considers Ukraine’s neutral and non-aligned status a necessary condition for ensuring its security.