Boryslav Bereza: Trump Is Starting To Take Revenge On Putin
- 9.07.2025, 18:43
The US will hit the most painful points.
The sharp turn of Donald Trump regarding arms supplies to Ukraine raises many questions. Is it a temporary decision or evidence of Washington's new line to contain the Kremlin?
Why did Trump change his mind and give the "okay" to supply arms to Ukraine? Is this a tactical maneuver or the beginning of a shift in strategy? The website Charter97.org talked to Ukrainian politician and former Verkhovna Rada deputy Boryslav Bereza about it:
- When Trump won the presidential election, I said at the time that there would be three things. One, don't expect him to end the war quickly. This is a naive expectation that was part of the campaign rhetoric but will not be realized.
And then I said: don't expect Trump to immediately impose sanctions on Russia. But rest assured - he will become disillusioned with Putin. And that will happen as early as this year. He will be disappointed and, like a classic narcissist, he will take revenge on the one who prevented him from triumphing - he will start hitting the most painful points.
That's why Trump has been trying for a long time to get Putin to make peace with Ukraine. He expected to win a Nobel Peace Prize for it. Today, as he sees that goal slipping away and the chances of winning the prize this year are extremely slim, Trump is starting to act defeated. Therein lies the main reason for his decision. He is tired of waiting for Putin to help him realize what he envisioned - ending the war. Trump has become convinced: Putin is not treaty-able, he is not a partner. Accordingly, Trump is changing the model of behavior.
The resumption of arms deliveries is also because it was not Trump's decision. It was the decision of the United States Secretary of Defense and his deputy. And a large number of sources who commiserate with both the White House and Trump's inner circle confirm that he was out of the loop. Now the situation is changing. What's more, Trump is using what's happening to punish Putin. This is not a gesture towards Ukraine - it is a manifestation of total disloyalty to Russia. Trump is tired of waiting - and we are seeing the consequences.
- Recently, the US president's rhetoric towards the head of the Kremlin has changed dramatically. Trump has repeatedly stated that he is dissatisfied with Putin and promised to give the Russians a "surprise". What real measures against Russia could we be talking about?
- Here I would be very cautious with expectations. Trump's loud statements can have the most unexpected consequences. Remember when he once said he would announce a bill in the morning that would shock everyone? At the time, it was about lowering drug prices in the US, and most people took it completely calmly. It was a significant step for Trump. Or another case: he left the G7 forum in Canada, promised an important decision - and it turned out to be the installation of two flagpoles near the White House. No one ever knows what's really behind his words.
On the one hand, it could be a decision on the sanctions bill now in the Senate and Congress - an initiative of Senator Lindsey Graham. That is one scenario. The second scenario is new sanctions or increased military support for Ukraine. Trump may announce it. We should not wait for something supernatural. We need to wait for concrete steps - and already judge the real intentions based on them.