In an editorial published on Wednesday, The Economist said Trump "appeared to make a remarkable shift in support towards Ukraine” when he met with the country's leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, in New York earlier this week.
Trump said on Truth Social this week that "Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and win all of Ukraine back in its original form."
He also told reporters that NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft if they enter their airspace, The Economist noted.
But “more likely, he was washing his hands of the war,” The Economist wrote. “If so, Ukraine and its European allies will have to resist Russia alone.”
Trump wrote on Truth Social: "After getting to know and fully understand the Ukraine/Russia military and economic situation and, after seeing the economic trouble it is causing Russia, I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and win all of Ukraine back in its original form."
He added: "With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO, the original borders from where this war started, is very much an option. Why not? Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years a war that should have taken a real military power less than a week to win. This is not distinguishing Russia. In fact, it is very much making them look like 'a paper tiger.'
"When the people living in Moscow, and all of the great cities, towns, and districts all throughout Russia, find out what is really going on with this war, the fact that it’s almost impossible for them to get gasoline through the long lines that are being formed, and all of the other things that are taking place in their war economy, where most of their money is being spent on fighting Ukraine, which has great spirit, and only getting better, Ukraine would be able to take back their country in its original form and, who knows, maybe even go further than that!
"Putin and Russia are in big economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act. In any event, I wish both countries well. We will continue to supply weapons to NATO for NATO to do what they want with them. Good luck to all!"
The Economist argued that Trump's rhetoric belies a withdrawal of US leadership.
In practical terms, the magazine said the new US approach leaves Kyiv to rely chiefly on European support, with Washington playing a back-seat role via intelligence sharing and arms sales rather than direct involvement.
The magazine warns that the ambition of Ukraine reclaiming all lost territory—even with Europe’s help—is “fantasy.”
Still, it said that if “the White House is not hostile” and allows for continued logistical support, “Ukraine should be able to defend itself.”
Beyond the battlefield, Ukraine faces mounting problems at home. The Economist pointed to economic strain from relentless Russian attacks, labour shortages, and growing frustration with Zelensky’s reliance on a narrow circle of advisers and tolerance of corruption “when convenient.”
Europe, the editorial urged, must step up: underwriting US arms purchases, shoring up Ukraine’s fragile democracy, and sustaining the war effort. Above all, it warned, “it cannot allow Ukraine to fall,” as the consequences of defeat would be “too horrifying even to contemplate.”
“Imagine a great country on NATO’s border under the rule of Vladimir Putin, embittered and betrayed, full of weapons and angry ex-soldiers,” The Economist wrote.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, starting the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II.
Thursday is day 1,309 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
(gs)
Source: PAP, economist.com