Trump dawdles on aid, sanctions as Ukraine turns to Europe for help

Boston Globe

2 days ago

The diplomatic stalemate followed an offensive by Russia on key Ukrainian territory. That, in turn, was followed by a
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And so it goes.
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President Trump, who vowed during his campaign to end the bloody conflict on
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The latter, of course, actually do have a chance to move the needle — even a handful of Republican leaders like
'It's clear to me — and I think it's becoming clear to President Trump — that the Russians are playing games,' Graham told
But the bill Graham is proposing — which now has
Thus the threat — new sanctions on Russia and tariffs on countries that purchase Russian oil, gas, and uranium — remains just a threat.
'He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I'm not just talking about soldiers. Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever,'
But what has the dealmaker-in-chief done about that?
Arms shipments to Ukraine
Ukraine is particularly in need of more Patriot missiles and launchers for its air defense system.
Secretary of State
Yes, a nation that was once considered the greatest military power in the world is now asking others to pass the hat for Ukraine military assistance.
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The Europeans, being on the front lines of the horror that Putin has unleashed on Ukraine, have indeed stepped up — both for Ukraine and in taking seriously their own need for self-defense.
British Prime Minister
He cited 'war in Europe, new nuclear risks, daily cyberattacks,' and 'growing Russian aggression,' in British waters and skies.
NATO Secretary General
Ukraine's needs are expected to be high on the agenda for the NATO summit in the Hague at the end of June, he assured, 'making sure that Ukraine has what it needs to stay in the fight, to be able to bring this terrible Russian war of aggression against Ukraine to an end which has to be lasting, which has to be durable.'
There was a time when those would be the words, the enduring message, coming from the White House — a message of peace through strength and engagement with allies.
Trump has been all about making America great again — or so he says. But America can not stand proudly on the world stage if it stands alone, abandoning allies and allegiances that go back decades.
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Putin has made himself and his unbridled ambitions abundantly clear. He isn't crazy, he's simply ruthless. Trump can continue to allow Putin to play him like a well-tuned Stradivarius or he can use the tools at his disposal — sanctions on Russia, tariffs on nations that buy energy from Russia, and the release of military aid to Ukraine — and actually show he means business this time.
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