Trump “shows goodwill to Putin” with Ukraine aid freeze — journalist Portnikov

Journalist Vitaliy Portnikov shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

"In general, I think Donald Trump chose a different approach to the ceasefire on the Russian-Ukrainian front. He tried to show he was ready to make concessions to Putin. So far, Trump has only proposed a ceasefire, while Putin hasn’t made any compromises. Even when Trump agreed that talks could happen during ongoing fighting, and saw that as a major political gesture to Putin, he expected Putin would agree to a ceasefire during those talks," he said.

Portnikov noted that this didn’t happen, so Trump decided to move on.

"I'm sure this is the decision of the U.S. president himself," the journalist said. "Of course, now we’ll hear the names of the Defense Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and a few minor officials — people who wouldn’t even go to the bathroom without Trump’s approval. Let alone stop aid to anyone. Trump wanted to show, during his talk with Putin, that he could stop helping Ukraine. That he wouldn't send more weapons. Just stop the fighting."

In his view, this was meant as a serious signal.

"We know that no new aid packages for Ukraine are currently being approved in the U.S. The package our country is using now came from the previous president and Congress vote, and it’s almost gone. Even before it runs out, Trump chose to halt the aid, just to show goodwill to Putin. Well, he ended up making a fool of himself, as expected," Portnikov concluded.

Background

• On July 2, the media reported that the United States has suspended deliveries of certain air defense missiles and precision-guided munitions to Ukraine over concerns about shrinking U.S. stockpiles.
• The Ukrainian side currently has no official confirmation of a suspension of missile and other ammunition supplies from the United States for air defense systems.
• In addition, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry invited the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to discuss military assistance and defense cooperation amid escalating Russian aggression. The two sides also discussed ongoing consultations on defense supplies and future contacts to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities and pressure on Russia.
• NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte responded by recognizing the right of the United States to take care of its interests, but emphasized the importance of further military assistance to Ukraine. A Pentagon spokesman told Ukrinform that the U.S. Department of Defense continues to provide President Donald Trump with options for further military assistance to Ukraine.
• On Wednesday, July 2, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine and the United States are currently clarifying all the details of defense support supplies at the working level, including air defense components.