Ukraine under pressure for fast gains as Trump sends warning

Donald Trump may have just put Ukraine on the clock

Donald Trump
By

The ex-president’s refusal to say whether he wants President Volodymyr Zelensky to win the war after Russia’s unprovoked invasion – along with his absurd claim that he could end the conflict in 24 hours – escalated the prospect that Ukraine’s destiny will rest in the hands of US voters next year.

The Republican frontrunner’s comments, in a CNN town hall meeting in New Hampshire, was the latest sign that the politics of the war in the US could become more strained as the 2024 campaign ramps up, creating new pressure on Zelensky’s coming offensive to deliver a decisive blow in the second year of the conflict.

The prospect of a Trump return to office could also offer an incentive to Russian President Vladimir Putin to prolong a war that is exacting a terrible civilian toll and racking up huge Russian casualties in the hope he could exploit any decrease in the multi-billion dollar US aid flow to Ukraine.

And Trump’s decision to insert himself squarely into the debate reflects deepening political calculations for several key players in the war. That includes both President Joe Biden, who staked his legacy as a defender of democratic principles in the US and abroad on Ukraine’s survival, and Putin, who presided over a scaled-down Victory Day parade in Moscow this week after failing in his war aim of crushing Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Battlefield developments could dictate the course of the war long before the November 2024 election. And making equivocal judgments about any comments the ex-president makes is risky, since he often seems to live day-by-day and minute-by-minute rather than following months-long strategic blueprints.

Nevertheless, Trump’s unwillingness to refer to Putin as a war criminal despite evidence of Russian atrocities in Ukraine and an International Criminal Court warrant for his arrest renewed intrigue over the ex-president’s motives in repeatedly genuflecting to the Kremlin strongman.

Yet Trump’s personal and political motivations for creating a campaign issue out of Ukraine, and his capacity for politicizing the multi-billion dollar US lifeline of weapons and ammunition for Zelensky’s government should not be underestimated. In New Hampshire, Trump showed that he views the war as a perfect vehicle for his populist nationalism, claiming that the rest of the world is ripping the US off and that Biden is more concerned with protecting the security of foreigners than the economic needs of Americans.

This message could be especially powerful in the event of any recession next year that could hurt Biden’s reelection bid. It’s also unclear whether Biden would want to enter the critical months of his campaign still sending billions of dollars in Ukraine despite highlighting his leadership of the West as a major foreign policy success.

For now, the prospect of a Trump return to office is a long-term concern for Ukraine, as it fights to eject Russian forces from its territory in a long-awaited counter-attack and relies on the staunch support of Biden who has reinvigorated the Western alliance in its support. After all, the next election is 18 months away and Trump may not win the GOP nomination or the presidential contest. Some recent polls have detected a softening of support for the prominent US role in supporting Ukraine – especially among Republicans – a factor Trump is trying to exploit, although GOP support for Ukraine in Congress remains firm despite high-profile anti-Zelensky rhetoric from some of his closest allies on Capitol Hill.

Trump’s transactional worldview

For Trump, the entire question of Ukraine boils down to a dollars and cents equation – much as he appeared to view NATO while in office as little more than an international protection racket.

“We’re giving away so much equipment, we don’t have ammunition for ourselves right now,” the ex-president said at the CNN town hall. And, he added, “we don’t have ammunition for ourselves we’re giving away so much” – comments that tapped into a seam of isolationism in the modern-day Republican Party.

When he was asked by CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins whether he believes Putin should stand trial for alleged war crimes, Trump replied: “I’ll say this: I want Europe to put up more money.” That comment paralleled one of the most enduring applause lines of his 2016 campaign in which he accused US allies, like those in Europe and in Asia, of enriching themselves under a US defense umbrella.

On one hand, Trump’s comments are an affront to generations of US foreign policy orthodoxy based on the idea that making the world safe for democracy and standing up to tyrants is in core US political, diplomatic and commercial interests and is a multiplier of American power.

Yet his threats toward US allies, especially in Europe, while sending shock waves through the transatlantic alliance, did result in some European powers increasing their own defense spending toward NATO’s recommended 2% of GDP threshold for member states. It is sometimes difficult however to distinguish between the Trump effect and more European defense spending because of a growing concerns about Russia – even before the Ukraine invasion.

But Trump is also correct that the US has spent more in Ukraine’s defense than the EU – a mighty economy – that is geographically far closer to the war zone than the United States. The Biden administration has committed a total of $36.9 billion in military aid to Ukraine since the beginning of the war in an extraordinary effort that has effectively made it a de-facto NATO client and effectively thwarted one of Putin’s war aims in keeping Kyiv out the Western orbit.

European Union institutions have pledged about 3.6 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine, but individual member states have given over 10 billion euros more in combined contributions, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. Britain – no longer an EU member – has additionally sent more than 6 billion euros’ worth and, as CNN’s Jim Sciutto exclusively reported on Thursday, has delivered “Storm Shadow” cruise missiles to Zelensky’s forces ahead of the coming offensive. (One dollar is currently equivalent to 0.91 euros.)

Like the United States, Europe has also offered tens of billions of dollars in other kinds of aid, grants and loan guarantees to Ukraine but Washington remains the top donor. Trump’s transactional view of the Western alliance reflects his very narrow view of US security interests and foreign policy, which has not changed since his first term in office, when he cut US financial contributions to NATO.

It also ignores the way the combined US-Europe partnership rooted in American military might has not only largely kept the peace in Europe for nearly 80 years but has made the Western bloc the most prosperous and democratic political experiment in history. His first administration turned the US from a guarantor of global stability into a major disruptive force – and he’s already signaling a second one would deliver more of the same.

But his complaints about European defense spending did get support from an unlikely source on Thursday: EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell.

“I was not a fan of President Trump, but I think he was right in one thing – Europeans doesn’t share their part of the burden,” Borrell said in Brussels on Thursday.

Zelensky is unruffled by Trump’s complaints

Still, Ukraine should probably be worried that if Trump returns to power he would relish obliterating Biden’s legacy, in the same way that he pulled out of the Paris climate accord and trashed the Iran nuclear deal – diplomatic centerpieces of the Obama administration.

And the ex-president may harbor particular resentment toward Zelensky after his attempt to get the Ukrainian president to announce a corruption investigation against Biden ahead of the 2020 election led to his first impeachment.

New Hampshire’s Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, a frequent Trump critic and potential 2024 presidential candidate, described Trump’s town hall performance as “weak,” “wimpy” and lacking leadership in an appearance on the “Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.”

“Ukraine has to win the war,” Sununu said, adding that the US had never had a better chance to “put our foot down on that tin can army of Russia.”

Trump’s former defense secretary, Mark Esper, told CNN “This Morning” on Thursday that Trump’s comments sent the “wrong message” not least because they could suggest to China that it could wait out the determination of the US and its allies to deter any invasion of Taiwan.

America’s friends abroad however stressed on Thursday that for now at least, Trump’s intentions for Ukraine were hypothetical.

Zelensky himself shrugged off Trump’s comments in an interview with European public broadcasters.

“Who knows where we’ll be [when the election happens]?” he said, according to the BBC. “I believe we’ll win by then.”

And British Defense Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace said in the House of Commons on Thursday that he was confident that Americans would support Ukraine whoever was in the White House.

“The US President today is President Biden. I have a good relationship with him, as do the Government,” said Wallace. “I know that the decent and good people of America would recognize that their rights are just as important as those of the people of Ukraine. Their Constitution upholds rights. I think that is what will unite them, and I am confident that whoever comes next as president will continue to support the battle to uphold human rights.”

But this week has been the clearest reminder yet that Trump, who last year called for the “termination” of the Constitution, may not share those values. – CNN

Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy – subscribe now!

  1. Hurrah! In the end I got a website from where I be capable of in fаct tаke ᥙseful factѕ regaгding
    my study ɑnd knowledge.

    Нere is mʏ website lotto (Louvenia)

  4. Hi, I do believe this is a great web site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to revisit
    once again since i have book-marked it. Money and freedom is the best way to
    change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.

    Feel free to visit my web site … direct mail – Roxie,

  8. You should be a part of a contest for one of the greatest sites online.
    I most certainly will highly recommend this blog!

    my website; agencia de diseñO web, cheveresv.com,

  9. You can experiment with distinct numbers in the distinct bubbles
    to seee how they have an effect on the unemployment rate.

    Check out mmy blog; web site

  10. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this
    topic to be really something that I think I would never understand.
    It seems too complex and extremely broad for me.
    I am looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

    Here is my web blog – Novelas Blog

  12. Hi there mates, its fantastic article about teachingand completely explained,
    keep it up all the time.

    Here is my webpage: Will Bitcoin lose value
    when all is mined? (Layla)

  13. Ԝhat’s up it’ѕ me, I аm also visiting
    thіѕ web site regularly, tһiѕ site iѕ really pleasant and the people are ｒeally sharing nice tһoughts.

    Мｙ webpage gambling

  14. Boston Bruins legend Ray Bourque will be on hand for MGM Springfield’s inaugural bet, and former New England Patriot Rob Ninkovich will take part
    in the festivities at Plainridge Park Casino.

    Here is my blog 토토검증

  19. Fortunately, our deposits are nnot only spending budget-friendly but also supported by the biggest payment providers in the world, both
    fiat and crypto ones.

    Feel free to visit my blog – yrmqq.blogdal.com

  23. Generally I do not read article on blogs, but I would
    like to say that this write-up very forced me to try and
    do so! Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thank you, very
    nice article.

    Feel free to visit my web-site: bikini model

  24. Goоd day I ɑm so glad I found yߋur site, І гeally found үou by
    mistake, while I wɑs researching օn Digg for something else, Anyways I am һere now ɑnd woulԁ just
    ⅼike tо say many thanks for a tremendous post and a all
    round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design),
    Ӏ don’t һave time to gο thｒough it alⅼ at the minute but I have saved it and aⅼso added in youг RSS feeds,
    ѕo when І һave tіme I will ƅе baｃk to rеad а ɡreat deal mօгe, Please do ҝeep
    սp tһe superb ᴡork.

    my web pаge slot

  26. Hi,
    What an fantastic blog!
    Is it okay I copy this and share this with my community subscribers?

    Check out my blog! It’s about Korean 검증커뮤니티
    If your interested, feel free to come to my channel and check it out.

    Thanks a lot and Continue with the cool work!

  27. Seasons final three months and tthe Quantity
    1 ranked player will get their image posted
    in the Hall Of Fame.Get the royal remedy at The Four Kinhgs Casino & Slots.

    Also visit my webpage … 카지노사이트

  30. What a fantastic post!
    Can I copy this and share this with my blog members?

    Come check our site! It is about Korean 야동
    If you are interested, feel free to come to my community and
    check it out.
    Thanks a lot and Continue with the good work!

  33. It is in point of fact a greɑt ɑnd usefᥙl piece ⲟf info.
    І am glad thаt you simply shared tһis helpful info
    with us. Pleaѕe stay us up to ԁate lіke this. Tһanks fߋr sharing.

    Heгe iѕ my hоmepage – football betting (Cierra)

  38. My name is Kendrick Considine but everybody calls me Kendrick.
    I’m from United States. I’m studying at the
    university (2nd year) and I play the French Horn for 4 years.
    Usually I choose songs from my famous films :D.
    I have two sister. I love Gaming, watching movies and
    Ice hockey.

    My blog post; http://www.expressionbrand.com

  40. I think everything said was actually very logical. But, what about this?
    suppose you typed a catchier title? I am not suggesting your content
    isn’t solid, but what if you added a title that makes people want more?
    I mean Ukraine under pressure for fast gains as Trump sends
    warning – The Namibian is a little boring. You might look at Yahoo’s front page and note how
    they create article titles to grab viewers to click. You might add a video or a picture or two to get people excited about everything’ve
    got to say. Just my opinion, it would bring your website
    a little bit more interesting.

    Here is my webpage … 777 tigre (https://www.belacam.com/)

  41. Hi there, I found your site by the use of Google at the same
    time as searching for a related subject, your site came up,
    it appears to be like great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Hello there, just become alert to your blog through Google, and located that it is
    really informative. I’m gonna be careful for brussels.
    I will be grateful when you continue this in future. Lots of folks shall be benefited out
    of your writing. Cheers!

    my page – app realsbet [http://www.bloghotel.org]

  45. I’m a 31 years old, married and work at the university (Biochemistry).

    In my free time I’m trying to teach myself Swedish. I have been twicethere and look forward to go there anytime soon. I like to read, preferably on my beloved Kindle.
    I really love to watch Arrested Development and
    Psych as well as documentaries about nature. I like Fencing.

    my web site rare pyrex

  48. excellent publish, very informative. I’m wondering why the opposite experts
    of this sector do not realize this. You must proceed your writing.
    I’m sure, you have a great readers’ base already!

    Also visit my web blog: gambling (Ada)

  49. My brother suggested I might like this website. He was entirely
    right. This post actually made my day. You cann’t imagine
    simply how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!

    Also visit my web site :: https://studydance.me/

  50. I’m a 42 years old, married and work at the university (Educational Policy Studies).

    In my spare time I try to teach myself Dutch. I have been twicethere and look forward
    to go there anytime soon. I like to read, preferably on my
    ipad. I like to watch Supernatural and CSI as well as
    docus about anything astronomical. I enjoy Jewelry making.

    Here is my webpage http://www.expressionbrand.com

  52. Neither the Deputy Commissioner nor the group reepresentatives on stage will be informed of the lottery benefits ahead
    of the envelopes are opened.

    Here is my webpage :: 동행파워볼

  55. My name is Reginald Turner but everybody calls me Reginald.
    I’m from Iceland. I’m studying at the high school (1st year) and I play the French Horn for
    5 years. Usually I choose songs from the famous films
    :D.
    I have two brothers. I like Hunting, watching movies and Parkour.

    my web site: rare pyrex

  56. My name is Mira Darcy but everybody calls me Mira.
    I’m from Denmark. I’m studying at the university (2nd year)
    and I play the Lute for 4 years. Usually I choose songs from the famous films
    ;).
    I have two sister. I like Fishing, watching TV (Family Guy) and Bowling.

    my blog post pyrex pattern

  58. Hi my family member! I wish to say that this article
    is amazing, nice written and include almost all significant infos.

    I would like to see extra posts like this .

    My site; tupalo.com

  59. What’s up to every body, it’s my first pay a quick visit of this web
    site; this webpage contains remarkable and truly good material in favor of readers.

    Here is my site – idn poker 88

  62. I was ѵeгty happy to find this great site.
    I wanted to thank you for ones time for this wonderfuil read!!
    I definitely аpprеciated every part of it and I
    have you bookmarked to check out neԝ stuff on youjr web site.

    my site … Morgan Margolis

  63. About Bankstown Locksmith

    I was wondering if you ever considered changing
    the structure use large list of secondary keywords spun –
    http://www.fantasyroleplay.co, your blog?
    Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way
    of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for
    only having one or 2 images. Maybe you could space it out
    better?

  64. I really love your blog.. Pleasant colors & theme.
    Did you develop this web site yourself? Please
    reply back as I’m planning to create my own personal site and would like to know where
    you got this from or exactly what the theme is named. Thanks!

    Visit my web site; custom paper (bestonlinepaperwritingservices.com)

  65. Woah! Ӏ’m ｒeally digging thｅ template/theme of thiѕ site.
    It’s simple, үet effective. A lоt оf times it’s
    difficult to get that “perfect balance” between usｅr friendliness
    аnd visual appearance. I must sау yoᥙ’vе ⅾone a excellent job witһ this.
    In аddition, the blog loads verу fɑѕt for mе on Opera.

    Exceptional Blog!

  70. Greetings! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give
    a quick shout out and tell you I really enjoy reading your blog posts.
    Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with the
    same subjects? Many thanks!

    Review my web site: proposal phd

  72. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say
    that I’ve truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.
    After all I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!

    my web page; uninsured motorist coverage

  74. las vegas breaking news
    Afteг looking at a fеw of thｅ blog posts on yߋur website, Ι ѕeriously аppreciate youг way οf blogging.
    I bookmarked it to mу bookmark website list ɑnd wіll bｅ checking baｃk in the near
    future. Ƭake a loⲟk at my website aѕ welⅼ ɑnd let me know y᧐ur opinion.

  75. It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy.
    I have read this post and if I could I want to suggest you
    some interesting things or suggestions. Perhaps
    you could write next articles referring to this article.
    I wish to read even more things about it!
    Slot Online Terpercaya

    my web blog: fictoluca.com

  76. I belіeve everythinjg posted was very reasonable. However,
    think about this, suppose you added a little content? I meаn, I don’t wish to teell you how to гun your blog, hoeever suppose you
    added a title tһaat makes people desire more? I mean Ukraіne unnder pressure for fast gains as Trumρ sends
    warning – The Namibian is kinda boring. You could glance at Yahoo’s home page and see
    how they write neԝs titls to get people to click. You
    might add a videο or a pic or two tօ geet readers interеsteԁ about everything’ve got to say.
    In my opinion, іt might bring yoᥙr bⅼog a little liveⅼier.

    my web page … automoble (Christal)

  80. I’m really loving the theme/design of your website. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility issues?

    A small number of my blog visitors have complained about
    my blog not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari.
    Do you have any advice to help fix this issue?

    Here is my web blog child porn

  81. Hey there great website! Does running a blog such as this require a large amount of work?
    I’ve absolutely no knowledge of computer programming however I had been hoping to start
    my own blog soon. Anyways, if you have any recommendations or
    techniques for new blog owners please share. I know this is off topic nevertheless I simply needed to ask.
    Thanks!

    Also visit my website :: online

  83. Тhank yyou for the auspiciouѕ writeup. It iin fact ԝas a amusement acount it.
    Look advɑnced to more added ɑgreeable from you!
    By the way, how could we сommunicate?

    My bⅼoig – Bolno (Sanora)

  84. I waas wondering іf you ever thought of changing the layout of your ѕite?
    Its verｙ wedll written; I love what үouve got to say. But mayƄe you
    coսld a little more in thee way of content so people could connect with it better.
    Youve got an awful lot ᧐f text for only having 1 or two pictures.
    Maybe you cߋuld space it oout better?

    Feеl free to visit my blog post David Bolno (https://www.shuuka.com/davidbolno)

  85. With Man United struggling with injuries, it’ll be interesting to
    see how Ten Haag sets his group out following their 20- win over Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

    Heree is my homepage :: 토토사이트

  86. Ηοwdy eҳceptional bⅼog! Does running a blog like this take
    a large amount of work? I’ve virtually no еxpertise in programming however I was hoрing to start my οown blog soon.
    Anyway, should you have any reｃommеndations oor tecһniques for new blog owners pleɑse share.
    Ι understand this іs offf topic however I simply had to аsk.
    Cheers!

    my web page :: Bolno and Pineles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Recent Stories

Latest News

Most Read

42 John Meinert Street,
Windhoek,Namibia, +264 61 279 600

The Namibian
© All rights reserved.

NEWS

BUSINESS

OPINIONS

LIFESTYLE

MULTIMEDIA

SPORT

MORE

FOLLOW US

Unless otherwise indicated, copyright in the content of this website vest in The Free Press of Namibia (Proprietary) Limited (Registration No 85/058). The unauthorized making of copies or use of this material constitutes a copyright infringment under the Namibian Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Protection Act, 1994 (Act No 6 of 1994).

Powered by PageSuite