Exasperated by the increasingly numerous strikes by Russia in Ukraine, Donald Trump decided to sign an agreement with NATO, aimed at delivering weapons to Kiev once again. Just two weeks ago, the American president had interrupted the deliveries.
He saw himself as a "peace maker": Donald Trump has long prided himself on being able to end the Russo-Ukrainian war in just 24 hours. Recent weeks have undermined the American magnate's claims. Days of negotiations, repeated phone calls with the Russian presidency… without seeing the slightest advancement towards a resolution of the crisis. This has seriously tested the patience of the occupant of the White House, who is "dissatisfied" with his recent exchanges with Vladimir Putin: "He disappoints me," commented the American.
Donald Trump has therefore decided to pound the table. Less than two weeks after abruptly halting the delivery of weapons to Ukraine, the American president has reversed his decision. Earlier this week, the occupant of the White House committed to "providing" military equipment to Kiev, particularly Patriot air defense systems. He is simultaneously giving Russia 50 days to end its offensive in Ukraine, under penalty of setting the customs duties of Moscow and its allies "at 100%".
"Trump is not giving these weapons"
A turning point in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict? "Not really," replies Olivier Kempf, associate researcher at the Foundation for Strategic Research. "It is a mistake to think that with these announcements, Donald Trump is aligning himself with Ukraine," adds the general. Firstly for political reasons: the Republican is currently facing internal pressure. "Displaying a tougher stance towards Russia allows Donald Trump to flatter the hawkish wing of the Republican Party, led by Senator Lindsey Graham," analyzes General Olivier Kempf.
