Putin and Trump’s conversation: Is the supply of weapons to Ukraine related to political pressure?
3 July 2025 18:20
A telephone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has sparked a new wave of discussions about the potential impact of this contact on arms supplies to Ukraine. Political scientists and military experts spoke to "Komersant Ukrainian" about the possible consequences and behind-the-scenes agreements.
Volodymyr Tsybulko, political analyst:
Tsybulko suggests that the Ukrainian side could have made tactical miscalculations or failed to fulfill certain preliminary agreements, which caused a nervous reaction from Trump.
“It looks like the style of Bankova Street – to promise, not to fulfill, and then be surprised at the reaction. If that’s the case, they need to do their homework, and the weapons will be back,” the expert believes.
At the same time, he is convinced that Putin no longer has leverage over Trump:
“After the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, Putin lost his status as a mediator. He has no legitimacy to mediate on the issue of Ukraine.”
Dmytro Snegiryov, military expert:
Snegiryov analyzes Trump’s previous conversations with Putin and reminds that it was after them that some restrictions on arms transfers to Ukraine were lifted, not vice versa.
“Trump took the issue of re-exporting American weapons off the agenda – Abrams tanks from Australia, Patriot missiles from Germany, armored vehicles from Italy, and even F-16s from Denmark – all of this happened despite previous refusals,” he says.
The military expert emphasizes that today’s hysteria in the media about the alleged blocking of military aid is an element of the Russian special services’ information operation timed to coincide with the conversation between Putin and Trump:
“Ukrainian media, unfortunately, sometimes fall for such fakes, spreading disinformation about weapons and the situation at the front.”
What is known officially:
Amidst the conversation, rumors surfaced about a possible suspension of military aid to Ukraine. However, the White House spokeswoman denied this information, saying that the decision to supply remains in effect.
