In a stunning turnaround after months of hesitation and distancing, the US president Donald Trump announced from the Oval Office that the US to send advanced weapons systems , including Patriot missiles, to NATO in support of Ukraine.
He, however, did not fail to emphasize that the cost will be covered by allies and not by American taxpayers , attributing a political character to the movement: This is Biden's war, the Democrats' war, he declared, again avoiding naming the Russian invasion or violations of international law.
The change in attitude was accompanied by the threat of enforcement very strict tariffs against her Russia if there is no peace agreement within the next 50 days, while also announcing secondary sanctions of 100% against third countries who continue to buy Russian oil.
As a White House official explained, the threat concerns the complete imposition of punitive tariffs and the activation of secondary sanctions.
Despite his repeated statements that his relations with the Vladimir Putin are pleasant, Trump seemed to express annoyance at the Russian president's obstructionism.
"I thought we had agreed four times... but he just kept going," he said, implying that he felt he was being deliberately delayed.
An ocean separates us., he added, deploying the classic isolationist argument, before repeating: It's not my war. We're here to end it and stop it.
Despite the new tough rhetoric, Trump did not support the proposal 80 senators –Republicans and Democrats– for tough sanctions package , 500% , against the Russian economy and the countries that buy Russian goods, limiting themselves to statements about trade agreements that help end wars.
The White House environment suggests that the American president is starting to lose patience with Putin, however it still keeps the communication channel open.
We talk often, he said characteristically. Putin knows what is fair. But the delay in the American response for months, as well as Trump's changing positions, are fueling distrust both inside and outside the US.
As the New York Times comments, Trump seems to be wants credit for ending the war, without taking responsibility for its outcome.
According to diplomatic sources, Putin appears convinced that he maintains the initiative on the battlefield and had long been preparing for the moment when Trump he would get angry.
Although the American president has publicly flirted with Moscow, he is reportedly refused to accept the Kremlin's basic demands : the cession of more territory from Ukraine and the limitation of its military capabilities in the future.
The investors in Russia However, they welcomed the announcement of the sanctions rather positively, with the main Moscow stock market index recording up 2.5% in the last half hour, which is interpreted as an indication that they were expecting even tougher stance from Washington.
In any case, Trump continues to send mixed messages. While acknowledging the bravery of the Ukrainians, he made no commitment to the long-term role of the United States and avoided aligning himself with European concerns that the Putin may expand his ambitions beyond Ukraine.
Europe has a lot of passion for this war, he said. I didn't think it had, but it does.
