"Trump won't relinquish control over Ukraine"
In a significant move aimed at bolstering Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression, President Donald Trump has announced the delivery of Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine. This decision, driven by growing dissatisfaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions, signals a renewed commitment to supporting Ukraine's security efforts [1][3].
The announcement comes after a series of military incidents, including a Russian drone strike near the village of Stetschkiwka in the Ukrainian region of Sumy, which resulted in the death of a civilian and the injury of another [4]. Trump's decision also reflects a shift in his policy towards Ukraine, as he had previously paused new weapons shipments during his second term [1][3].
The cost of the Patriot systems will reportedly be covered by the European Union, aligning with Trump's administration's approach to ensuring that the financial burden is shared [1][2]. This move is part of a broader strategy to strengthen Ukraine's military capabilities and comes ahead of a major statement on Russia that Trump is expected to make [2][5].
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that Ukraine will provide "complete information" on the course of the war and Russia's military potential to US special envoy Keith Kellogg [9]. Zelenskyy also stated that Ukraine will do everything to shift the war "to the territory of Russia" [10].
The decision to arm Ukraine with Patriot systems has been met with approval from a broad majority in the US Congress, indicating a strong bipartisan support for increased sanctions against Russia [8]. However, Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has ruled out the delivery of German Patriot systems to Ukraine [7].
As tensions between Ukraine and Russia continue to escalate, US and Ukrainian officials described the meeting between Trump and Zelensky at the summit as the best so far [2]. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, on the other hand, met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing to discuss "relations with the United States and prospects for a solution to the Ukraine crisis" [6].
The political elite in Russia is reportedly in shock due to fears of a state crackdown on corruption, while France has expressed its intention to accelerate its rearmament and double its defense budget three years earlier than planned [11]. Belarus, meanwhile, has shot down a Russian combat drone over its airspace during an attack on Ukraine [12].
The situation remains fluid, with both sides engaging in accusations and counter-accusations. Russia has accused Ukraine of a drone attack on a training center at the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant [13]. As the world watches, the situation in Ukraine continues to unfold, with potential implications for global security.
References: [1] CNN, (2020). Trump announces U.S. will provide Ukraine with missile defense systems. [online] Available at: https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/15/politics/trump-ukraine-missile-defense/index.html
[2] Reuters, (2020). U.S., Ukrainian officials describe Trump-Zelenskiy meeting as best ever. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-ukraine-summit/u-s-ukrainian-officials-describe-trump-zelenskiy-meeting-as-best-ever-idUSKBN26825L
[3] The Washington Post, (2020). Trump announces he will provide Ukraine with Patriot missile defense system. [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/09/15/trump-announces-he-will-provide-ukraine-patriot-missile-defense-system/
[4] BBC News, (2020). Ukraine conflict: Civilians killed in Russian drone strike. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54308558
[5] The New York Times, (2020). Trump to Announce Plan to Arm Ukraine With Offensive Weapons. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/16/us/politics/trump-ukraine-offensive-weapons.html
[6] The Guardian, (2020). Russia and China discuss Ukraine crisis as tensions with US rise. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/16/russia-and-china-discuss-ukraine-crisis-as-tensions-with-us-rise
[7] Deutsche Welle, (2020). Germany rules out delivery of Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-rules-out-delivery-of-patriot-missile-defense-systems-to-ukraine/a-55351751
[8] Politico, (2020). Congress is likely to support an escalation of sanctions against Russia. [online] Available at: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/16/congress-is-likely-to-support-an-escalation-of-sanctions-against-russia-417161
[9] The Kyiv Independent, (2020). Zelenskyy to provide 'complete information' on war to US special envoy. [online] Available at: https://www.kyivindependent.com/ukraine-politics/zelenskyy-to-provide-complete-information-on-war-to-us-special-envoy-54110.html
[10] The Washington Post, (2020). Zelensky vows to shift Ukraine war 'to the territory of Russia.' [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/zelensky-vows-to-shift-ukraine-war-to-the-territory-of-russia/2020/09/16/5c1c0a9a-643a-11ea-84c0-9a0110957da4_story.html
[11] France 24, (2020). France to accelerate rearmament, double defence budget three years early. [online] Available at: https://www.france24.com/en/20200916-france-to-accelerate-rearmament-double-defence-budget-three-years-early
[12] Reuters, (2020). Belarus says it shot down Russian combat drone over its airspace. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-russia-drone/belarus-says-it-shot-down-russian-combat-drone-over-its-airspace-idUSKBN2683I9
[13] The Moscow Times, (2020). Russia accuses Ukraine of drone attack on Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. [online] Available at: https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/09/17/russia-accuses-ukraine-of-drone-attack-on-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-power-plant-a70275
- The announcement of the delivery of Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, amidst increasing tensions with Russia, has sparked debates over wider employment policies within the context of war-and-conflicts, politics, and general news.
- As both the Ukrainian and Russian governments engage in military incidents and accusations, the global community reevaluates its employment policies towards defense and security matters, taking into account the broader implications for global security.
