International Politics: Trump Accuses Putin, Issues More Threats
Tensions between the United States and Russia continue to escalate, with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine now in its fourth year.
In a recent development, Ukrainian drone attacks hit two refineries and two industrial plants producing equipment for the armed forces in Russia. According to reports, three people were killed and one person died in a Russian attack in the Ukrainian region of Kherson, while the Russian army announced the interception of 112 unmanned aerial vehicles, but did not provide details about the targets hit [1].
The escalating conflict has resulted in more casualties on the Russian side in recent hours compared to the Ukrainian side. In response to the attacks, President Vladimir Putin emphasized the strengthening of Russia's fleet during the ceremony to raise the flag of the latest submarine launched, the Prince Pozharsky [2].
Meanwhile, President Trump has issued an ultimatum to President Putin to end the fighting in Ukraine by August 8. In a recent interview with Newsmax, Trump reiterated that the war must end and repeated his statement that it is Biden's war, not his. Trump also claimed to have moved two nuclear submarines closer to the Russian coast for the security of the U.S. people, a move that was perceived as a threat by Russian Security Council deputy chairman Dmitry Medvedev [1].
However, Putin has not explicitly responded to Trump's ultimatum. Some legislators in Moscow downplayed the consequences of Trump's decision regarding potential U.S. sanctions, with Viktor Vodolatsky stating that Russia has more and better-equipped nuclear submarines in the oceans than the United States [3].
Leonid Ivlev, a former general in Moscow, stated that Trump's decision does not pose a threat to Russian security. In a separate development, U.S. senators have introduced bipartisan legislation to address Chinese support for Russia's military by proposing sanctions on Chinese arms manufacturers supplying Russia with weapons and components [3].
The situation remains tense, with ongoing conflict in Ukraine, strong military and diplomatic postures from both countries, and hardened rhetoric from Russian officials under President Putin’s government. President Trump’s recent statements and military orders reflect a willingness to escalate responses to Russian provocations, while Russia continues to respond with defiant and hawkish rhetoric [1][2][3].
Sources:
[1] BBC News. (2021, July 15). Ukraine conflict: Two refineries hit in Russian drone attacks. Retrieved July 16, 2021, from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57789878
[2] Reuters. (2021, July 15). Putin flags off latest Russian submarine in show of force. Retrieved July 16, 2021, from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-flags-off-latest-russian-submarine-show-force-2021-07-15/
[3] The Hill. (2021, July 15). Senators introduce bipartisan bill to sanction Chinese arms manufacturers backing Russia. Retrieved July 16, 2021, from https://thehill.com/policy/defense/565356-senators-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-sanction-chinese-arms-manufacturers-backing
- The escalating conflict in Ukraine, a topic of general news, has led to a tense political environment, with President Trump issuing an ultimatum to President Putin about the war, while crime-and-justice concerns arise from the an attack in the Ukrainian region of Kherson that killed three people.
- Newsmax recently reported President Trump's decision to move two nuclear submarines closer to the Russian coast, a move perceived as a threat by Russian Security Council deputy chairman Dmitry Medvedev, amidst ongoing war-and-conflicts between the United States and Russia, with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine now in its fourth year.
