Trump wants to show that he is most powerful

The US notification of stopped weapons deliveries will have major consequences for Ukraine.

But it is also a major shift in the US foreign and security policy, experts believe.

– The change is astonishing. That the United States in this way sticks the knife in the back of an ally, says Jan Hallenberg, professor emeritus in political science linked to the Foreign Policy Institute.

He believes that the United States is now changing the foreign policy course considerably.

– The US message will weaken Ukraine’s military ability gradually. They certainly manage for a number of months, but in the long run, the Russians will take over if it continues.

Mineral agreement in focus

The message comes after last week’s chaotic meeting between Ukraine President Volodomyr Zelenskyj and US President Donald Trump in the White House. At the meeting, they would agree on an agreement on Ukrainian natural resources in exchange for US protection.

– The agreement is like a signal from Zelenskyj to Trump: “I accept that you should receive some compensation for your help”.

During the visit, the presidents ended up in a long and hot word riot in front of rolling cameras. Trump accused Zelenskyj of “gambling with a third world war” and demanded that he show gratitude. The meeting ended with Trump sending home Zelenskyj – without any agreement being rowed in port.

Neither Dag Blanck, professor of North American Studies at Uppsala University, is not surprised by the decision, as Trump has long proven skeptical of Ukraine.

– You should take what he says seriously. But it is clear that pausing weapons deliveries is a very big change.

– Trump was challenged by Zelenskyj, which created problems. Trump’s promise in the election campaign was that he would end the war through settlements, which did not happen. It certainly plays a big role that Trump could not conclude any agreement.

Must apologize

But Trump’s message is not a test balloon, Hallenberg believes.

– He wants to show that he is the most powerful and that he should have his details through. The only possibility is whether Europe comes with a very concrete peace plan that Ukraine and the United States can accept. But that probability I judge is small.

– In order for Ukraine to have access to US weapons again, it must probably have some kind of apology.