The Economist: Putin Is Going To Be Trapped
- 17.07.2025, 12:44
How Ukraine and Europe can capitalize on Trump's new U-turn on Russian Federation.
A new scheme regarding arms supplies to Ukraine based on the words of US President Donald Trump may prove unreliable, but Kiev and its allies should seize the moment.
This is what The Economist writes, analyzing a number of recent statements by the American leader. Over the past six months, Trump has made numerous statements about Ukraine, ranging from promising to end the war in 24 hours to threatening to cut off arms shipments. The other day, Trump showed a new enthusiasm regarding support for Ukraine, and this impressive reversal combines ambiguity, theatricality and cynicism, the publication notes.
Nevertheless, it opens the way for Ukraine and its allies to stabilize the weakening position, and they should take advantage of it, The Economist states.
The publication recalls that Trump has previously called Russian dictator Vladimir Putin a "genius" while blaming Ukraine for the war and humiliating its president Vladimir Zelensky in front of the world media. Now his position, voiced after a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, is different.
Analyzing, the change in rhetoric, The Economist pointed to the fickleness of Trump, who first seemed to approve of Kiev's strikes deep into Russian Federation, and then urged Zelensky not to hit Moscow and said he was not inclined to hand Ukraine long-range missiles. Nor do his threats to impose "tough" secondary duties look convincing.
There is nevertheless one element of the United States' new stance that has value - arms transfers, the piece said. Unlike Biden, who transferred American weapons to Ukraine, Trump wants European governments to buy them and then already transfer them to Kiev. The logic is dirty, emphasizes The Economist, adding that Trump himself considers it "good business".
But by paying for the weapons, the Europeans could fill the gaps in the military sphere, and cover the costs at the expense of frozen Russian state assets, the author of the publication reflects. For example, Germany has already said it will buy Patriot missile batteries that could provide air defense for Ukraine.
But since the new arrangement is based on Trump's words, it is not reliable. Even if the United States is willing to sell arms and Europe is willing to buy them, some weapons may be in short supply, The Economist suggested. But it would buy time for Europe to ramp up production of needed weapons and for Ukraine to develop new ways to prevent Russian strikes on civilians.
"If Ukraine can find a way to defend its cities from the air, Putin will be trapped in a grueling war of attrition," The Economist wrote.
Trump's desire for a quick peace deal has turned out to be just a fantasy. And while his word means little, Ukraine and Europe should take advantage of this to create a mechanism that will not require daily decisions by the US president for its functioning, the publication summarizes.