Weapons for Ukraine: why the Trump U-turn?
Last week the Pentagon pulled the plug on sending weapons to Ukraine. Now Donald Trump has overturned the decision – and is reportedly looking into whether the US can deliver an additional Patriot missile defence system. He also condemned Vladimir Putin for throwing "a lot of bullshit" while "killing a lot of people". Europe's press anaylses the latest mood swing in the White House.
Course correction, under pressure
In a Facebook post shared by NV, political scientist Serhiy Taran comments:
“When it comes to Trump, it is better to wait for concrete actions before drawing conclusions, but the Pentagon's special statement suggests that Trump has indeed crossed his inner Rubicon. ... There were several contributing factors: 1. US public opinion favours Ukraine. 2. The lobbying efforts of traditional Republicans, who have consistently argued that one must speak to Russia from a position of strength. 3. The need to show the world that Trump can demonstrate strength, and not only towards Iran. ... Journalists also played a significant role by pressuring Trump with uncomfortable questions about his fondness for Putin.”
Teaching Europe to share responsibility
Maybe there was no other way than to threaten to withdraw support, Rzeczpospolita surmises:
“Perhaps Trump simply concluded that a war in which the Ukrainians are only able to defend themselves against a stronger Russian enemy with the help of the US makes no sense in the long term. ... With his seemingly chaotic steps he wants to force Europe to commit more. We're not talking about sending a box of munitions or a rocket launcher to Dnipro every now and then, but about completely redesigning Europe's security architecture. And just as Trump's 'toughness' has forced the Europeans do their homework with regard to their own defence, they will also have to learn this lesson.”
His unpredictability is still a risk
The Economist welcomes the news but warns:
“The affair is a reminder that not even Mr Trump's acolytes can predict his zig-zags. America First means what Mr Trump says, not what his ideologues and devotees think. ... His decision is a victory for common sense. Ukraine has in recent weeks endured some of the most intense drone and missile bombardments since the start of Russia's full-on invasion three years ago. Stopping American aid, especially Patriot and other air-defence missiles, was tantamount to giving Russia a free hand and rewarding aggression. That said, it would be unwise to assume that Mr Trump has now embraced the cause of Ukraine.”
Washington tightens the screws on Moscow
Radio Kommersant FM notes a shift in the US position towards Russia and Ukraine:
“Some people are saying that all these statements about a lack of missiles and shells are merely a smokescreen. It cannot be ruled out that, ultimately, Kellogg, Zelensky and the Europeans will agree on a new formula for arming Ukraine. ... A clear signal of a serious shift in the American position would be the Pentagon's renewed participation in the Ramstein format. Be that as it may, Trump's stance towards Russia is getting tougher. It makes no sense to deny that.”
Only one person profits from this stlye of leadership
TVNet analyses the situation:
“If decisions get made after one phone call and reversed after the next, allies – and especially those who rely on the US as their most important security guarantor – find themselves in a most unenviable position. Furthermore, it is still unclear how US military aid policy will develop in the future, because Trump has neither allocated additional funds nor launched a new aid programme – he has simply reversed the mistakes of his own government. Only one person profits from this style of leadership: Vladimir Putin. He doesn't need to change his objectives, he just has to keep an eye on the signals from Washington and wait for the next change of tack.”