Ukraine Invasion: US Must Move away from Appeasement of Russia
On July 14, President Donald Trump warned Russia, which continues its invasion of Ukraine, that if it fails to agree to a ceasefire within 50 days, the U.S. will impose additional sanctions on the country, including a 100% tariff on any country that imports Russian goods.
While the measures are aimed at China, India and other countries that import oil and gas from Russia, and thus are supporting Russia's wartime economy, there are questions about how effective these indirect sanctions will be.
Through direct negotiations in Istanbul, Turkey, on July 23, Ukraine proposed holding a leadership summit at the end of August, but Russia, which seeks a forfeiture of Ukrainian sovereignty and effectively a surrender, rejected the idea.
Since Trump began his second term of office in January, he has taken a conciliatory approach with Russia, but since there is virtually no chance that Russian President Vladimir Putin will accept a fair peace, it may be necessary for the U.S. to completely overhaul its Russian policy. Trump should promptly strengthen sanctions on Russia and forgo waiting 50 days.
Trump has aimed for an early-stage ceasefire and has had repeated phone calls with Putin.
But Ukraine has instead been hit with amped-up aerial bombings by Russia, and drone attacks in residential areas in the capital, Kyiv, continue to keep citizens awake at night.
Putin has strengthened attacks in the eastern region of Ukraine with no regard for Russia’s own military victims, and the Ukrainian army, whose strength is already depleted, grows even more exhausted. Putin appears confident that the Ukrainian military will continue to weaken and its resistance will flag.
Trump said he is “disappointed but not done with [Putin]” and it seems that this dissatisfaction with a Putin who will not accept a ceasefire has prompted Trump to warn of additional sanctions and a new military support package for Ukraine.
Trump, who has shown half-hearted support for providing military aid to Ukraine, is overhauling his Russia policy, and on July 21, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced an agreement with the U.S. to supply Ukraine with five U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems. Germany and other European nations affiliated with NATO will take joint responsibility, leading to improved air defense capabilities for Ukraine.
Putin is ostensibly monitoring this intensification of U.S.-Russia policy as one of Trump's characteristically emotional responses. Nonetheless, it would be a welcome change if Trump’s illusions about Putin have been shattered.
While the measures are aimed at China, India and other countries that import oil and gas from Russia, and thus are supporting Russia's wartime economy, there are questions about how effective these indirect sanctions will be.
Through direct negotiations in Istanbul, Turkey, on July 23, Ukraine proposed holding a leadership summit at the end of August, but Russia, which seeks a forfeiture of Ukrainian sovereignty and effectively a surrender, rejected the idea.
Since Trump began his second term of office in January, he has taken a conciliatory approach with Russia, but since there is virtually no chance that Russian President Vladimir Putin will accept a fair peace, it may be necessary for the U.S. to completely overhaul its Russian policy. Trump should promptly strengthen sanctions on Russia and forgo waiting 50 days.
Trump has aimed for an early-stage ceasefire and has had repeated phone calls with Putin.
But Ukraine has instead been hit with amped-up aerial bombings by Russia, and drone attacks in residential areas in the capital, Kyiv, continue to keep citizens awake at night.
Putin has strengthened attacks in the eastern region of Ukraine with no regard for Russia’s own military victims, and the Ukrainian army, whose strength is already depleted, grows even more exhausted. Putin appears confident that the Ukrainian military will continue to weaken and its resistance will flag.
Trump said he is “disappointed but not done with [Putin]” and it seems that this dissatisfaction with a Putin who will not accept a ceasefire has prompted Trump to warn of additional sanctions and a new military support package for Ukraine.
Trump, who has shown half-hearted support for providing military aid to Ukraine, is overhauling his Russia policy, and on July 21, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced an agreement with the U.S. to supply Ukraine with five U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems. Germany and other European nations affiliated with NATO will take joint responsibility, leading to improved air defense capabilities for Ukraine.
Putin is ostensibly monitoring this intensification of U.S.-Russia policy as one of Trump's characteristically emotional responses. Nonetheless, it would be a welcome change if Trump’s illusions about Putin have been shattered.
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