The fluctuating position of U.S. President Donald Trump on the conflict in Ukraine has shifted back towards aligning more closely with the views of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
There was speculation in recent weeks that Trump might take a tougher stance against Russia and possibly align more with the European Union’s position. However, the comments that fueled this speculation at the U.N. General Assembly turned out to be more of a temporary deviation rather than a significant policy shift.
After hinting at the possibility of providing Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles, Trump had a lengthy phone call with Putin at the Russian leader’s request. Subsequently, during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump stepped back from a potential missile deal and expressed his belief that Putin desires peace.
According to Phillips O’Brien, a strategic studies professor at the University of St. Andrews, Trump’s current position is consistent with his administration’s actions such as halting financial aid to Ukraine, refraining from imposing new direct sanctions on Russia, and pressuring Zelenskyy to make concessions.
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House for high-stakes talks, but questions remain over whether the U.S. will supply Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles.
O’Brien criticized Trump’s inconsistent support for Ukraine and confrontational approach towards Russia in his Substack newsletter, highlighting a lack of genuine assistance and a tendency to deceive Zelenskyy.
Putin’s Influence on Trump
While Trump did not publicly embarrass Zelenskyy during their White House meeting, reports suggest he aggressively pressured the Ukrainian leader in private. Trump reportedly demanded that Zelenskyy accept Putin’s terms to end the conflict, including territorial concessions, threatening destruction by Russia if rejected.
According to the Financial Times and Reuters, Trump aggressively pushed Zelenskyy to yield territory to Russia, resorting to profanity during the discussion.
Michael Bociurkiw, a global affairs analyst, suggested that Trump’s recent shift may have been influenced by Putin’s private communication, portraying the provision of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine as an unacceptable escalation. Bociurkiw emphasized Putin’s ability to sway Trump’s decisions.
Trump’s subsequent statements and actions have further diminished hopes of his pro-U