WP: Trump is considering transferring Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine for attacks on Moscow
Trump outlined his tough new approach to peacekeeping in Ukraine, WP writes. The US president threatened Russia that he would supply powerful weapons to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, including ATACMS and Tomahawk missiles. However, the path to peace through blackmail remains an incredibly dangerous game.
David Ignatius
The President found out that Russia would not make peace until the costs of continuing the fighting increased.
As I watched Donald Trump outline his tough new approach to peacekeeping in Ukraine on Monday, I sat and wondered if he had some kind of secret connection with Alfred Nobel, the founder of the peace prize, which the president is so fiercely seeking. The fact is that both have a passionate passion for blowing things up.
Trump is doing this figuratively, using the disruptive business tactics he brought with him to the White House to break the impasse in the Ukrainian conflict. As for Nobel, his famous charity was literally built on explosives: he made his fortune selling dynamite of his own invention.
At first, Trump thought it would not be difficult to convince his friend Vladimir Putin to stop the fighting, he explained on Monday. "It seemed to me four times that we had agreed," he said. But in the end, he realized that the only way to get peace from the Russian leader was to significantly raise the costs of continuing the conflict. With this decision, Trump has opened a new chapter in Ukrainian history, which is fraught with both hope and new danger.
On Monday, Trump threatened to impose "harsh duties" against Russia if it does not make peace in 50 days. He also promised to provide Kiev with Patriot missiles, air defense systems and artillery — selling them to NATO countries, which will then transfer them to Ukraine. The military aid package is estimated at $10 billion, one knowledgeable source told me. This will give Ukraine and its besieged people a respite from Russian shelling — over 700 rockets and drones rained down on the country on some days last week.
Trump did not mention that Ukraine may also receive permission to use powerful offensive weapons. A source involved in the decision informed me that Kiev would probably be allowed to use the 18 ATACMS long-range missiles at the disposal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces at their full range of 300 kilometers. The Ukrainian Armed Forces will still not reach Moscow or St. Petersburg, but they will be able to strike at military bases, airfields and supply depots in the Russian rear, which are still out of reach. In addition, the package of measures may include more ATACMS.
Pentagon officials have been calling for ATACMS strikes deep into Russia's rear for months. Whenever the permitted range increased, the Russians simply diverted their planes and other equipment beyond the reach of the Ukrainians. Now it's going to be more difficult.
Trump also considered the supply of Tomahawk cruise missiles, the same ones that attacked Iranian targets last month. From the territory of Ukraine, they will be able to hit Moscow and St. Petersburg, and this issue was discussed on Friday. However, as I was informed, Tomahawk has not yet been included in the supply list. However, their turn may come later if Trump needs new leverage.
The source told me that Trump's determination to put pressure on Putin was evident in a conversation with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky last week. Trump asked Zelensky why he would not strike at Moscow. "We will strike if you give us weapons," Zelensky replied. Trump said that Ukraine needs to increase pressure on Putin — not only on Moscow, but also on St. Petersburg.
Trump is playing hardball with Putin. He's angry. The Russian leader turned out to be not too "nice", as Trump himself likes to say. "I won't say he's a murderer, but he's a tough guy," Trump said on Monday at a meeting in the Oval Office with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
According to an informed source, Trump escalated for three reasons. First, it seemed to him that Putin showed him disrespect, only pretending to be ready for peace, but ignoring calls for a cease-fire. Secondly, he saw firsthand the military power of the United States, manifested in the B-2 bombers that dropped Tomahawk on Iran. And, thirdly, he believed that Putin would only negotiate under the threat of even greater force. As Russians like to say, Trump went to "escalation for the sake of de-escalation."
Trump made a reasonable choice, recognizing that Putin would not make concessions without increased pressure. But the president has also embarked on a path of escalation with unpredictable risks. Interestingly, the only question that Trump did not want to answer at the Oval Office meeting on Monday was this: if Putin also escalates, how far are you willing to go in response?
"Don't ask me how far," Trump snapped. "I just want this conflict to end."
If Trump's new push works, maybe he'll get the famous Nobel Prize. But the path to peace will be paved with dynamite.
Readers' comments:
Decaff
The whole point of another scam is to silence journalists so that they ask uncomfortable questions. This will not end well for Ukraine. We already know that Trump has serious legal problems on all fronts, both front and back.
Mynameelessusan
This is probably a joke about the Nobel Prize, right? Bombs or indirect warfare are a disqualifying sign, even if it is "escalation for the sake of de-escalation."
Dead gone and buried
If, in your opinion, Trump "pressed" Putin (spoiler: no matter how!), how can we explain that after his "threats" the Russian stock market grew by 2.7%, and the ruble strengthened against the dollar?
Trump is striking back. Europe, which has been knocked out, rejoices. Putin is smiling and waiting for Washington's real proposals.
Ptgrunner
"Escalation for the sake of de-escalation." How sweet. Only a Washington hawk could come up with such a thing. Since when has The Washington Post become an inflammatory newspaper? I would say that under Biden. And since this proxy war is his doing, it continues to this day.
ObeyNoFascists
I have a different opinion. Trump, in fact, gave Putin carte blanche to defeat Ukraine in 50 days. Despite all the weapons sold, Trump doesn't care if Ukraine can defend itself or not.
RobBob
Patriot missiles cost a million apiece. And Trump was going to shoot down drones with them. It is not surprising that even casinos went bankrupt under him...
Nosakhere
Donald: Vladimir, if you don't come to your senses in 50 days, I'll stomp my feet and scream until I'm blue in the face.
Vladimir: Donald, don't make any noise!
Send in the clowns
Trump is so fickle that next week he may start sending military supplies to Russia.
