Trump Reluctantly Comes Around to Backing Ukraine.

In a notable evolution of his stance, President Donald Trump has indeed come around to backing Ukraine with significant military aid, marking a shift from his earlier skepticism and transactional approach. This change appears to be driven by increasing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to engage in meaningful peace negotiations and the continued intensity of Russia’s attacks on Ukraine.

Here’s a breakdown of the current situation and what “reluctantly comes around” means in this context:

Key Developments and Trump’s Current Stance:

Renewed Arms Shipments, with a Twist: Trump has approved the resumption of large-scale military aid to Ukraine, including critical Patriot air defense systems, missiles, and ammunition. However, a significant aspect of this plan is that European allies, particularly NATO nations, will be purchasing these weapons from the U.S. to then transfer them to Kyiv. Trump has emphasized that the European Union will be “paying for it” and that “this will be business for us,” aligning with his “America First” and transactional foreign policy.

Growing Exasperation with Putin: After initially adopting a more conciliatory tone towards Putin at the start of his second term, Trump has expressed escalating disappointment and even anger with the Russian leader. He has publicly criticized Putin for prolonging the war and has stated he is “very, very unhappy” with him, accusing him of “throwing a lot of bullshit” at the U.S. and prolonging the conflict. This marks a departure from his previous rhetoric, which sometimes implied Russia was more willing to negotiate.

Shift in Tone towards Zelenskyy: While Trump had previously been critical of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, accusing him of being an obstacle to peace and ungrateful for aid, his recent rhetoric has softened. This follows a contentious meeting in February that reportedly highlighted the stark differences in their approaches, seemingly leading to a realization that a different strategy was needed to bring the war to an end.

Threat of Severe Tariffs on Russia’s Trading Partners: In a new and impactful move, Trump has threatened “very severe” secondary tariffs, potentially at 100%, on Russia’s remaining trade partners (such as China and India) if a peace deal is not reached within 50 days. He views trade as a powerful tool for “settling wars” and aims to cripple Moscow’s ability to sustain its war machine by isolating it economically.

Emphasis on “Defensive” and “Offensive” Weapons: While earlier discussions focused primarily on defensive weapons, there are now indications that the approved aid could include offensive weapons and long-range missiles, capable of striking deeper into Russian territory.

The “Reluctance” and Underlying Motivations:

The term “reluctantly comes around” aptly captures the shift in Trump’s approach. His initial campaign promises revolved around a swift end to the war and a reduction in direct US involvement and expenditure. The current strategy, while providing substantial aid, is structured in a way that aligns with his core principles:

Financial Burden on Allies: By having European allies purchase U.S. weapons for Ukraine, Trump can claim he is not directly funding the war with American taxpayer money, a key concern for his base. This allows him to support Ukraine’s defense while framing it as beneficial for the U.S. defense industry.

Pressure for a “Deal”: The renewed aid and the threat of tariffs appear to be a strategy to exert maximum pressure on Putin to come to the negotiating table on terms favorable to ending the conflict. Trump’s stated goal remains to “get the Peace Deal DONE!”

Frustration with Inaction: The continuous and intensifying Russian attacks, despite earlier attempts at a rapprochement and peace discussions, seem to have genuinely frustrated Trump, pushing him to adopt a tougher stance.

In conclusion, while Trump’s direct financial commitment to Ukraine aid remains limited, his approval of weapon sales to European allies for onward transfer to Kyiv, coupled with his strong warnings to Russia and its trading partners, signifies a significant and, by many accounts, “reluctant” but firm backing of Ukraine’s defense efforts.