What Trump did for Ukraine in his previous term and what to expect today
7 November 2024 15:38
ANALYSIS
With Trump’s promises to end the wars in the world, Ukrainians have hope: maybe we can really hope for a just end to the war? While experts were skeptical about the election promises to “end the war in 24 hours,” after analyzing Trump’s previous term and what he did for Ukraine in 2017-2021, a more realistic picture emerges. [Kommersant] analyzed the details.
Trump’s first steps towards Ukraine in his new cadence
While Western media are trying to predict Trump’s policy toward Ukraine, the first steps have already been taken. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a phone conversation with Donald Trump in which he congratulated him on his victory in the US presidential election. He wrote about this on his page on the social network X.
“I had a great conversation with President Donald Trump, and I congratulated him on his historic landslide victory,”
– Zelenskiy said, emphasizing Trump’s success.
The Ukrainian leader also announced an agreement on close dialogue and cooperation between Ukraine and the United States:
“Strong and unwavering US leadership is vital for the world and for a just peace.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Of course, the fact that this conversation took place is evidence that Ukraine is a priority for the United States. And Donald Trump will have to at least think about how to fulfill his election promises.
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What Trump did for Ukraine from 2017 to 2021
From January 20, 2017, to January 20, 2021, during the presidency of Donald Trump, the United States provided Ukraine with significant assistance, including military and diplomatic support, as well as sanctions against Russia. The Trump administration actively opposed the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, believing that it increases Europe’s dependence on Russian gas and undermines Ukraine’s security. In 2019, the US imposed sanctions on companies involved in the construction of the project, delaying its implementation.
The United States continued to support Ukraine’s territorial integrity in international organizations, including the UN, criticizing Russian aggression and calling on the international community to increase pressure on Russia.
Military support for Ukraine
In 2018, Donald Trump took a step that had long been the subject of negotiations and hesitation among American politicians – he gave the green light to supply Ukraine with its first lethal weapon. An American plane landed at a Ukrainian airport, bringing Javelin anti-tank systems that have become a symbol of US support for Ukraine’s defense.
“This decision was not made lightly, but in 2017 President Trump approved the transfer of Javelins to Ukraine,”
– the US State Department commented.
The delivery of 37 launchers and two hundred missiles was not just military support, but also an important psychological step. The Javelin received the status of a “silver bullet” in Ukrainian society, which was seeking reliable defense means in the face of Russian aggression. These systems symbolized real help that significantly strengthened the country’s defense capabilities.
“I gave you anti-tank systems, while my predecessor sent you bedspreads and pillows. Many people opposed this decision, but I made it,”
– Donald Trump said during a press conference with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in 2019.
The delivery of the Javelin was a turning point in the Ukrainian-American partnership. This decision demonstrated the US willingness to support Ukraine, overcoming an important psychological barrier to providing lethal weapons.
Subsequent equipment deliveries included electronic warfare, radar, communications, and other technologies that improved the capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Joint military exercises between the United States and Ukraine, such as Rapid Trident 2021 in Lviv region and Sea Breeze, continued to strengthen cooperation and exchange of experience between the militaries of both countries.
Financial assistance and support for reforms
During Donald Trump’s presidency, the United States supported Ukraine’s reform processes aimed at fighting corruption and developing democracy. Millions of dollars were provided to support reforms in the security sector, judiciary, and governance.
It is known that the US President provided $350 million in the 2018 defense budget for security assistance to Ukraine. The law allowed for the provision of lethal defensive weapons to Ukraine and expanded the parameters of security and defense assistance. In addition to providing weapons, the funds were used to rehabilitate wounded Ukrainian soldiers in U.S. medical facilities, train Ukrainian doctors, and strengthen Ukraine’s air and naval forces.
Sanctions against Russia
Donald Trump’s administration imposed the toughest sanctions against Russia in US history (at that time), adding more than 365 individuals and legal entities to the sanctions lists. This was stated by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in his Twitter post.
“The administration has imposed sanctions on more than 365 Russian entities in response to Russia’s destabilizing and aggressive actions in Ukraine and across Europe,”
– Pompeo wrote
He emphasized that no previous administration had taken such harsh measures against Russia as the Trump team:
“No other administration has been as tough on Russia as we have been. Period,”
– Mike Pompeo wrote in 2021.
Controversial moments in Trump’s first term
The relationship between Ukraine and the Trump administration has not been without its difficulties. For example, in 2019, there was a scandal with the “Ukrainian case” when Trump was accused of putting pressure on President Zelenskyy to investigate the activities of political opponents. This led to impeachment in the House of Representatives, although the Senate later acquitted Trump.
At the end of his term, Trump intensified his actions in the international arena. In particular, on December 24, 2020, he vetoed the defense budget, which included aid to Ukraine and sanctions against the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
the 45th President of the United States explained his objections by emphasizing the key changes he demanded. According to him, the budget did not contain critical national security measures and contradicted the administration’s efforts to put America first. Trump called the document a “gift to China and Russia.” However, on January 1, 2021, the U.S. Senate overrode the veto by a majority vote, ensuring the budget’s passage.
At the same time, on December 22, 2021, the Trump administration imposed trade sanctions against 103 Chinese and Russian companies that cooperate with their countries’ armed forces, demonstrating a tough stance on national security.
These steps demonstrate Trump’s policy of countering Russia’s influence in Europe and maintaining international stability and security.
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Author: Anastasia Fedor
