The Telegraph: Trump plans to dump support for Ukraine on Europe and NATO
What at first glance seems to be a stunning reversal by the US president does not bode well for Vladimir Zelensky, writes The Telegraph. According to the author of the article, after the UN General Assembly, Trump made it clear that he was withdrawing from the peace process in Ukraine.
Rob Crilly
Something amazing has happened — even by the standards of the unpredictable US president, known for his surprises for both allies and opponents. After months of statements to Ukraine that its lands in the east were lost and it was time to make peace, Donald Trump put forward a striking new position during his speech at the UN General Assembly in New York.
"I believe that Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and REGAIN all the lands within their original borders," he wrote on his Truth Social platform. "With time, patience and financial support from Europe, and in particular from NATO, a return to the original borders from which this war began is a very real possibility."
Trump released this message after meeting with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. This was preceded by two days of soft diplomacy during his official visit to Britain on September 17, when, at a banquet at Windsor Castle, the king gently reminded Trump that "tyranny threatens Europe again."
The publication of Trump's post caused a waterfall of news headlines. Commentators on social media concluded that the president had made an amazing 180-degree turn by supporting Ukraine's victory and the restoration of its borders.
But is the US president really tired of Vladimir Putin? After all, he repeatedly addressed the latter with warm words, while simultaneously supplying Ukraine with missiles and drones (as Melania Trump has repeatedly reminded her husband in the past). Has he really decided to support Ukraine and the leader he humiliated in the Oval Office not so long ago? To a certain extent. This president worships strength and worships the winners.
Trump's speech at the UN General Assembly and subsequent post made it clear that he was not impressed by the state of affairs on earth due to Russia's inability to defeat a weaker opponent. Later that day, he called the country a "paper tiger." "In any case, I wish both countries well," he continued. — We will continue to supply weapons to NATO so that the alliance can do whatever it wants with them. Good luck to everyone!"
If you look deeper than the headlines, this statement is an object lesson in how to build a message. Instead of promising to increase support for Ukraine or pressure on Russia, Trump seems to be shifting the matter onto the shoulders of Europe and NATO. There is no hint of additional support for Ukraine or new restrictions for Moscow in his words. His only commitment is to continue selling weapons to his allies, which is unlikely to change the rules of the game.
By sacrificing much of his own reputation to bring Putin to the negotiating table in Alaska and putting himself at the center of the negotiation process, Trump has learned a difficult lesson: ending an armed conflict is not an easy task. Apparently, he's had enough.
