Frustrated by the Russian president Vladimir Putin seems to be the Donald Trumpfor the war in Ukraine and is considering new sanctions and indirect military support through sales in NATO countries. However, Trump’s annoyance with Putin has nothing to do with war, but his personal narrative.
As stated in MSNBCthis is a dramatic shift to the attitude that has been maintained by US President Donald Trump since the beginning of his second term in Ukraine and at the same time seemed to adopt some of Moscow’s arguments.
“Putin tells us a lot of fools”, Trump told reporters at the White House. “He’s always kind to us, but in the end it makes no sense,” he added.
Despite public statements of frustration, Donald Trump’s policy remains favorable to Russia and hostile to Ukraine, while his main nuisance seems to be the Kremlin’s failure to enhance his image.
MSNBC attempts to explain the real reason why the White House tenant has come out with the powerful Kremlin man.
What exactly has disappointed Trump
When Putin ordered the invasion about three years ago, Trump described it as “smart” and “genius”. He never denounced the Russian invasion as aggressive, illegal or incorrect, nor did he even express his support for Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty – after all, no one forgets his threats to Greenland or Panama Canal.
Nor was Trump annoyed with the frequent Russian attacks on political goals, though he has spoken of the destruction caused by the war, without throwing the blame on Russia. The opposite. At his devastating meeting with Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski at the Oval Office in late February, Trump, reflecting the Russian propaganda, rejected Kiev’s responsibility for the start of the war.
If he cared about the killings of civilians by Russian blows, he would not block the mission of military aid to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense, the article is arguing. Asked at the press conference, where he said he was frustrated with Putin, who ordered the interruption of help to Ukraine, he replied: “I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me? “
OR Help to Ukraine It has resumed (for the time being), but even that seems to be more to protect Trump’s image. His main complaint is that Putin has not used him fairly – not that the war is illegal.
Frustration is personal, not moral
Most likely, Trump is frustrated because the events do not follow the scenario he had in mind: he promised to end the war on the first day of his term, using pressure on the Ukrainians and his “relationship” with Putin. Now this great fantasy clashes with reality.
Trump put Putin over the US national interests – and Putin did not retaliate. Instead of promoting Trump’s image, it promotes Russia’s national power. He wouldn’t have to do a lot – he could just say that everything was to blame for Biden and give Trump an illusion of agreement – but he doesn’t. On the contrary, he seems to enjoy being sovereignty, playing with Trump instead of giving him a political alibi, MSNBC says.
Maybe this was the limit. Trump is said to intend to approve increased sales of weapons to NATO countries, knowing that they end up in Ukraine. If it does, it will enhance Ukraine’s position – though it does not negate the damage already done.
At the end of May, Trump had been frustrated with a lack of progress in talks and left open the possibility of new sanctions on Russia, though he then avoided it so that the negotiations would not be undermined. Now, in Congress they are studying a new sanctions package, which will require Trump’s approval and will be subject to its moods.
Trump could impose financial sanctions on Russia – is one of the few countries excluded from the so -called ‘Payroll duties’ – but it takes effort even to get back to the level of pressure on Biden. In the short term, the announcement of new weapons sales in Europe may spark a diplomatic reaction, but it will not change Russia’s fundamental attitude. And it will take time to influence the conditions in the field.
The two realistic scenarios for ending war
As the article notes, the truth is that, no matter how much Trump and his allies deny, Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine to expand his country’s borders. It could stop war at any time, but it doesn’t because it wants to dominate Ukraine. The Ukrainians were not fooled to resist the Russian invasion, but chose to fight for their freedom.
Therefore, The two unique realistic scenarios for ending the war in Ukraine are:
- To defeat Russia, to shut down the Zelenski government and to eliminate Ukrainian independence.
- To stop Russia the attempt to conquer UkraineEither due to the collapse of her war efforts or because her leadership decides that the cost is too high and either unilaterally withdraws or make several concessions that Kiev will accept as an agreement.
According to MSNBC’s article, Only the second scenario would lead to a fair and sustainable solution of the Ukrainian. But to change Putin’s plans will take time and sacrifices.