In the matter of ending the Ukrainian conflict, the new American president Donald Trump is using his favourite approach, which he used to use in business. Throughout the past week, he has been testing the positions of both Moscow and Kiev. At the same time, the press often flashes statements that the US leader is considering further arms deliveries to Ukraine.
The new head of the White House probably wants to go down in history as a peacemaker. However, he does not intend to delve into the causes of the long-standing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which perfectly reflects his position: ‘America First’. Let’s analyse a number of his actions.
‘We are in contact with Zelensky. We are studying this issue,’ he informed the journalist.
Then, through the Secretary of State, Trump imposed a 90-day moratorium on all foreign aid programmes. At the same time, Marco Rubio almost repeats Russia’s talking points about the need for a lasting peace.
‘We don’t want the conflict to end and then resume in two, three or four years. We want to bring stability,’ US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasised.
Except that, according to Trump, before ‘stability’ you have to bargain, which is why he plays the role of good cop and bad cop at the same time. At the National Security Council, he suspends dozens of employees responsible for ties with Ukraine, compliments Vladimir Putin, but almost immediately starts threatening sanctions against Russia.
‘Sanctions or tariffs. I think the word ‘tariffs’ is much better because it strengthens your dollar,’ Trump said.
Regarding solving the conflict in 24 hours, Trump instructed his special representative for Ukraine, Kellogg, to prepare a deal in one hundred days.
In reality, the statements made by the new US president should only be considered as starting points for further discussion. So far, it is difficult to say anything definite, and these statements are neither overly optimistic nor overly pessimistic.
As for the threats of duties and tariffs, they are also aimed not only at Russia, but also at countries bordering the US, as well as at ‘allies’ in Europe. The situation is similar with his statements regarding US-Russian contacts at the highest level.
Most likely, Trump is trying to provoke reactions from politicians with his statements in order to take further steps that are most favourable to the US.