Russia

Trump is, unbelievably, favouring Putin who he seems to believe did not start the war, and views Zelenskyy as a dictator. Further, following the above UN General Assembly resolution which the USA had failed to support, the USA proposed a rival resolution which did not call Russia the aggressor or acknowledge Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

It “implores a swift end to the conflict and further urges a lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia.” It mourns “the tragic loss of life throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict” and reiterates “the principal purpose of the United Nations, as expressed in the United Nations Charter, is to maintain international peace and security and to peacefully settle disputes.”

One is forced to ask, why?

I am still trying to work out the precise reasons and rational behind this American ‘minerals deal’ which has little to do with stopping the war. The odd reason provided by Trump and Vance is that with American mining businessmen and contractors on the ground in Ukraine this would deter Putin from continuing attacks. Trump also declared that no USA troops would be utilised in keeping the peace.

One is forced to ask, why?

Blackmail

The USA contribution to Ukraine’s defence against Putin is, in the short to medium-term, critical alongside the contributions from Europe and other nations to sustain Ukraine’s defence and force possible victory. But with Trump’s obsession with winning he has turned on Ukraine, following the failure to agree a minerals deal, and suspended all military support, leaving other supporting nations to try to fill the vacuum - with great difficulty. The suspension of USA intelligence support for Ukraine will result in many more Ukrainian deaths and even more destruction. And all this just for Trump to win. The price is too high and puts serious doubt the USA’s trust as an international partner.

In an about-face and on the (poor) advice of UK’s prime minister Starmer, who Trump is desperately trying to separate politically from Europe (mostly through exempting the UK from damaging tariffs), Zelenskyy has been forced to consider capitulation and agreed to sign the minerals deal to ‘repair’ relations with Trump. I am reminded of the last time Zelenskyy was blackmailed by Trump when he demanded that Zelenskyy opened an investigation into Hunter Biden’s role in Ukraine for continued financial and military support against Russia. This capitulation will not go down well in Ukraine without a concrete agreement from Russia to withdrawer from Ukraine, hand back territory and allow Ukraine to join NATO (the only realistic way to guarantee the country’s independent future and freedom).