Political signal or real support? Trump is ready to allow Europe to buy weapons for Ukraine
18 February 16:08
US President Donald Trump has said he is ready to allow European countries to buy American weapons for Ukraine. Such a move could guarantee Kyiv access to military equipment even if the United States withdraws its support.
What does this mean for Ukraine and should we expect any further assistance from the US?
Ukrainian political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko in an exclusive commentary for
Fesenko noted that although the United States is an important partner for Ukraine, Trump’s criticism of European countries is incorrect. According to him, when Trump criticized Europeans for helping Ukraine less than the United States, it was not true.
Europeans help Ukraine more than the United States
The political scientist emphasized that in fact Europe is not inferior to the United States in supporting Ukraine, and even sometimes exceeds America in economic assistance.
“Europeans have been helping Ukraine no less than the United States. In economic terms, even more, especially in the last year and a half.“
In the military sphere, however, the United States does provide more assistance, but the situation may change with the implementation of Trump’s idea to allow Europeans to buy weapons for Ukraine:
“If this is implemented, only Europeans will help us, and the United States will not help us at all.“
Trump and the “colonization” of Ukraine: manipulation or reality?
One of the most popular messages in the media is the accusation that the United States is seeking to “colonize” Ukraine. Fesenko strongly rejected such accusations, noting that they are manipulations used in particular by Russian propaganda.
“Russia wants to colonize us, not the United States. This is an absolute deformation and manipulation, and it is coming from Russia right now.“
Fesenko also emphasized that although the United States sometimes offers unfavorable deals, this cannot be called “colonization.” This is Trump’s business approach. The political scientist emphasized that Europe’s role in negotiations on arms supplies to Ukraine is now important.
“Now the Europeans have to demonstrate character. This is the subject of negotiations. “
He also emphasized that for the successful implementation of this plan, Europe must find funding.
Negotiations on the minerals agreement: what will be signed?
Regarding possible agreements between Ukraine and the US, Fesenko emphasized that negotiations are ongoing and it is not yet certain that an agreement will be signed. Ukraine’s Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said that the agreement will be signed, but Fesenko noted that not all the conditions offered by the US side are favorable for Ukraine.
“We want to sign the US resource agreement, but we need to understand that not everything that is offered to us is in our interests.“
So, according to Fesenko, Trump’s policy is mostly business, and it is important for Ukraine to defend its interests in negotiations, particularly with Europe and the United States, to ensure that the terms of the aid are fair and mutually beneficial.
Support or political maneuver?
Military analyst Dmytro Snegiryov also shared his opinion on Donald Trump’s recent statements regarding military assistance to Ukraine in a conversation with KU journalists.
“This is a political signal to the countries of Europe,” Snegiryov said, explaining that Trump gave a clear message to European partners after the Munich conference, where he criticized US policy, in particular, the possible rapprochement with Russia.
Targeted assistance and the needs of the frontline
The analyst also emphasized that such a mechanism would allow Ukraine to receive exactly the types of weapons that are critically needed at the front. For example, artillery shells, anti-personnel mines, and other munitions that are a priority for the Ukrainian army.
“The United States has already supplied Ukraine with large batches of artillery shells and armored vehicles, including Soviet-made ones, such as the T-72,” Snegiryov said.
According to him, this allows solving the problem not only with the supply of new systems, but also with the renewal and modernization of equipment.
A diplomatic trap for Europe
Snegiryov noted that Trump is creating a diplomatic trap for European partners.
“On the one hand, he promises his voters that he is saving American taxpayers’ money. On the other hand, this puts the Europeans in a situation where they will have to justify themselves if they fail to fulfill their promises to support Ukraine,” the analyst explained.
Regarding the prospects for US-Ukraine cooperation, Snegirev noted that Trump’s statements about the possibility of a US military presence in Ukraine are a signal that Ukraine remains an important strategic partner for the United States.
“Trump has made it clear that Ukraine is part of the United States’ military, political and economic sphere of influence,” he said, pointing to the great potential for cooperation in areas such as mineral extraction, particularly lithium, which is an important strategic resource for both countries.
Regarding Trump’s interaction with Russia, the analyst believes that his position is clearly aimed at weakening the Kremlin’s geopolitical influence.
“Trump demonstrates a desire to weaken Russian dominance in the post-Soviet space, in particular through interaction with Belarus and other states,” Snegirev added.
Thus, Trump’s plan to allow Europeans to buy American weapons for Ukraine is an attempt to ensure the continuity of military assistance while saving American taxpayers’ money. However, this approach may have unpredictable consequences for European partners, who, on the one hand, will receive greater responsibility for supporting Ukraine, and on the other hand, will find themselves in a diplomatic trap if they cannot provide the necessary weapons supplies.
