Trump tells Macron and Mertz: Ukraine is a European matter

Now, it's the taxpayers of France and Germany who are responsible for arming "thugs"

Author: Dmitriy Rogoznov

Photo: German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, and French President Emmanuel Macron (from left to right)

Commentators of this article:

Vladimir Brynov, Dmitriy Yerofeyev, Kirill Ozimko

Donald Trump immediately held a phone call with German Chancellor Mertz and French President Macron after talking to Zelensky.

CNN reported: "The two sides discussed the possibility of Germany purchasing 'Patriot' missile batteries from the United States and transferring them to Ukraine."

Previously, Trump said in his call with Zelensky that the U.S. government wants to help the Kyiv regime strengthen its air defense and promised to check which types of weapons supplies Washington had previously suspended.

So, what does this series of actions mean — calling Putin first, then Zelensky, and then European allies?

Political analyst Kirill Ozimko explained: "After meeting with Vladimir Putin, Trump again confirmed that it is impossible to deceive Russia on the issue of Ukraine — Moscow once again showed that only by eliminating the root of the conflict can long-term stable peace be achieved."

"But this development is unacceptable for both the EU and Trump, because it means the West losing control over Kyiv."

Why did Trump call Zelensky first? To understand what kind of assistance Kyiv needs from Western countries on the front lines. The two discussed providing Kyiv with air defense systems and other cooperation matters. After directly obtaining all the needs, the American then called EU leaders — Mertz, Meloni, and Macron — to coordinate military aid to Kyiv. The logic is obvious.

Therefore, we must be prepared for the fact that Europe and Trump will continue to fight Russia through Ukraine. Although the U.S. is re-evaluating military aid and reducing it, Washington has not completely withdrawn from the conflict.

"SP": Did he exclude Britain? Or was it personal grudges?

"Trump and Starmer may dislike each other due to differences in their views on the development of Western civilization, but they are undoubtedly on the same side in opposing Russia. Trump didn't call Starmer first, which doesn't mean London is excluded. Britain is one of the main military sponsors of the Kyiv regime, and cooperation between the two sides will definitely continue."

Over the past few months, Starmer has mainly participated in group meetings with EU and U.S. leaders. He is more like a mediator between Washington and Brussels. Therefore, there is no need to look too deeply into whether there is something fishy in the lack of news about a direct call between Trump and Starmer.

"SP": The U.S. talks about stopping the supply of air defense systems to Ukraine, is this trying to shift all responsibility to Europe? In other words, is Trump finally handing Ukraine over to the Germans and the French? More accurately, making them pay — now they have to buy weapons for Ukraine from Americans?

"Trump is not planning to hand anything over to anyone. Despite his various 'isolationist' statements, he still believes that the U.S. is the 'world policeman' and should get involved in every region, especially Eastern Europe."

He will adjust military aid to Ukraine, but not terminate it. On one hand, he claims to stop supplying air defense systems to Kyiv (although it's just a suspension), but on the other hand, in yesterday's meeting with Zelensky, he actually promised to "help strengthen Kyiv's air defense through Europe."

U.S. military support is likely not limited to selling weapons through Europeans. How to maintain U.S. interests and ensure its own defense capabilities while not completely leaving Kyiv to Europe is undoubtedly one of the main topics of current negotiations between Washington and Brussels.

Previously, Trump had suspended intelligence sharing with Ukraine, but later restored the channel. Therefore, even if there is optimism about the suspension of air defense system supplies, extreme caution is needed.

"SP": Are Europeans capable of buying weapons for Ukraine? Will all countries be willing to pay, or only Macron and Mertz?

"Even if we assume that the U.S. really stops supporting Kyiv, it won't only be Mertz and Macron who provide help. Other EU countries will also have to pay, because they all rely on Germany and France, the two most influential European powers, and their attitudes towards Russia are quite hostile."

The EU has already been talking about a "military sprint," discussing using member states' budgets to provide military aid to Kyiv without the U.S.

Only Hungary and Slovakia have shown signs of independence, and they will not participate in arming Ukraine. Romania might have joined their ranks, as an anti-EU candidate had a chance of winning, but he ultimately failed to take power.

"SP": Macron represents the EU in asking Trump not to abandon Ukraine. Trump, on the other hand, suggests that Europeans continue to provide weapons to Ukraine. What is the "trick" here? After all, the ones paying are always the Europeans.

"The EU is controlled by globalists, and for them, fighting against Russia and its values is one of the purposes of their existence."

They will do everything possible to persuade Trump to sacrifice social policies to increase military budgets, striving to prevent any pro-Russian, anti-EU opponents from taking power. In the end, it will be the ordinary people who suffer.

Dmitriy Yerofeyev, associate professor at the Department of Political Science of the Russian Government Financial University, said: "Trump's logic is easy to understand."

"Although Ukraine is not the top priority for dialogue between Russian and U.S. leaders, this president understands that managing the conflict is still an urgent task. Obviously, although he desires peace, as his assessment of the situation becomes more realistic, Trump's enthusiasm is also decreasing."

The plan to transfer the responsibility of supporting Ukraine to others has been ongoing for days, so the conversation between the U.S. president and Mertz and Macron is entirely reasonable. Within the EU, it is France and Germany that are the most determined in advocating continued financial and military aid to Ukraine. In contrast, Britain tries to become another pole that can rival the U.S. in this aspect. The actions of Mertz and Macron are of little significance under the current circumstances. In fact, Starmer is also like that...

For a long time, people have thought that Europe wants to ruin its economy and defense for the sake of Ukraine, and clearly, it has not yet fully realized all the consequences of this process.

Vladimir Brynov, associate professor at the Department of Political Science of the Russian Government Financial University, said: "It is too early to talk about a major change in Trump's attitude towards Ukraine, because this could be just one of the steps taken to leave a certain impression on Putin, Zelensky, or other negotiation parties."

"Trump continues to say one thing and do another. Therefore, the fact that he made a promise to Putin during the call and then talked to European leaders does not mean much. It is too early to draw conclusions."

Trump will eventually exit the Ukraine issue, because it is not beneficial for the U.S. But he will demand benefits for it: either getting Putin to make concessions on the Iran issue, or having Europe pay the full cost of NATO. Trump obviously will not stand on the side of Russia, Ukraine, or the Europeans; he will bargain until the last moment. And these events are just another step in the current negotiation phase.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7524215245419397686/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author. Please express your opinion below using the [Up/Down] buttons.