It’s said “there is no honor among thieves,” which is again confirmed in the latest “tiff” between the U.S. and Europe with regard to Ukraine. As everyone knows, Ukraine’s “Black Earth” is among the most productive soil in the world. But U.S. corporate entities have increasingly bought off that major source of Ukraine’s economic treasures at bargain basement prices. Companies including Cargill, ADM, Dupont, Monsanto, BlackRock, Oaktree Capital Management and Bunge Limited have reportedly gained control of most of Ukraine’s farmland, as exposés have documented.
On Nov. 13, 2024, the scandal was raised by Member of the EU Parliament Barbara Bonte (Patriots for Europe, PfE) of Poland. She wrote “Question for written answer” to the EU Commission, under the headline “Ukrainian Farmland Increasingly U.S.-Owned”:
“According to several disquieting reports, mainly U.S. but also Saudi agro-industrial and investment businesses are purchasing Ukrainian farmland on a massive scale. Cargill, ADM, Blackrock, Oaktree Capital Management and Bunge Limited, for instance, have reportedly gained control over much of Ukraine’s farmland.
“1. What is the Commission’s assessment of the impact of this sell-off of European farmland to multinationals serving only U.S. interests on EU strategic food-supply dependence? How does the Commission intend to address that impact?
“2. This strongly suggests that the United States is seeking to recoup its military support for Ukraine, and ensure a geopolitical presence there in a post-war scenario, through control over Ukrainian farmland and the profits it generates. How does the Commission intend to prevent the United States from cherry-picking in Ukraine and Europe from being left to deal with just the handicaps?”
The American Oakland Institute, in a Feb. 21, 2023 study, “War and Theft: The Takeover of Ukrainian Agricultural Land,” wrote: “Around 4.3 million hectares are under large-scale agriculture, with the bulk, 3 million hectares, in the hands of just a dozen large agribusiness firms.In addition, according to the government, about 5 million hectares—the size of two Crimea—have been ‘stolen’ by private interests from the state of Ukraine. The total amount of land controlled by oligarchs, corrupt individuals, and large agribusinesses is thus over 9 million hectares, exceeding 28% of the country’s arable land.”
As the Big Farm cartels came to dominate in Ukraine in recent years, many Ukrainian farmers were displaced, and driven to seek farm work in the U.S. Midwest, sending remittances back home. Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs officials from London, with investments in Ukraine’s agriculture, were seen sporting cowboy boots and hats visiting their holdings. Thanks to NATO, the Ukrainian farmer is being returned to the status of a serf.
