I started this thread with “I might trade the US government for Cuba’s right now”. In that context, it’s completely fair to compare the two.

Most of the issues with Cuba’s poverty stems from sanctions. Those sanctions are in nobody’s interest except a few Cuban expats in Florida. Who at this point are the descendents of people who were kicked out for largely good reasons.

As for human rights abuses, we don’t even need to make the comparison between the US and Cuba on that one.

At this point, I’d trade Cuba’s government for the United States.

Ukraine doesn’t even have significant rare earth deposits. Nothing worth mining.

However, those aren’t the only thing in the deal. Bunch of other minerals are in there, and oil and natural gas.