President Trump is feeling frustrated with Vladimir Putin. Last week, he mentioned to NBC News that Ukraine has been experiencing its heaviest air assaults since the onset of Russia’s full invasion. He noted that NATO has come through with a deal to send Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine, with contributions from Germany and Norway.
Trump’s displeasure was apparent, especially during a cabinet meeting where he expressed his feelings about Putin: “We get a lot of bulls—, if you want to know the truth, dropped on us by Putin. He’s always very nice, but it turns out to be pointless… I’m not happy with Putin. I’m very unhappy with them.”
That’s quite a shift from just a month ago when he spoke positively about Putin and noted the respect he had for the U.S.
In the backdrop of this, Ukraine was dealing with heavy drone and missile attacks. On July 9, the country endured assaults involving 728 drones and 18 missiles, which escalated further on July 11. This came on the heels of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses pausing some weapon deliveries to Ukraine, citing concerns about U.S. munitions stocks. This explanation has been met with skepticism from various U.S. officials.
The Kremlin seized on the opportunity, knowing Ukraine’s defenses were compromised. The Patriot system in place seemed to lack adequate interceptor missiles, putting Ukraine at a disadvantage against Russian attacks.
Interestingly, Hegges didn’t inform the White House about his suspension of aid, which he has done before and has always reversed. Since then, Trump has articulated plans to continue military support for Ukraine while getting NATO allies to help with costs.
For supporters of Ukraine, the commitment to bolster air defenses is reassuring, yet it’s essential to remain cautious. Trump’s decisions can seem impulsive and inconsistent, potentially flipping in the other direction based on any personal interactions with Putin.
This news is important for President Zelensky and his troops, who are courageously managing a tough situation. The balance of the conflict is precarious; since February 2022, Russia has faced significant personnel losses, while Ukraine has also endured substantial casualties, albeit on a smaller scale relative to their population size. The current dynamics indicate that any disruption in military aid to Ukraine, even for a brief period, might shift the scales in favor of Russia.
European leaders need to recognize the implications of this situation. U.S. funding for Ukraine has already seen cuts, and the complete withdrawal of support could become a reality.
The U.S. has provided approximately $185 billion to Ukraine, significantly more than any other country. By comparison, Germany, the UK, France, and Poland have contributed billions as well, along with the EU’s support fund.
This recent NATO summit’s agreement to increase defense spending reflects Europe’s willingness to enhance their military support. U.S. allies might have to step up more significantly, especially if they view the conflict as one that transcends just Ukraine and Russia.
The fundamental questions remain: can dictators just take what they want? What signal does it send if the West allows such aggression? Europe can help maintain support for Ukraine, but joint action with the U.S. is vital to send a strong message against Russian ambitions.
