Trump’s Erratic Policies Persist: Unpredictability Reigns in Latest Moves

U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach to the ongoing war in Ukraine continues to be erratic. Recently, he oscillated from a supportive position regarding Ukraine’s struggle against Russian aggression to a more ambiguous stance, reflecting his unpredictable diplomatic style.

At a press briefing in the White House, Trump expressed skepticism about Ukraine’s prospects of winning the war, despite earlier suggesting that with EU support, Ukraine might reclaim territories occupied by Russia. “War is a peculiar thing,” he remarked, highlighting the unpredictable nature of military conflicts.

The potential second summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin is shrouded in uncertainty. Initially planned after a seemingly productive first meeting in Alaska, the follow-up is now under scrutiny. CNN reports doubts about the summit’s feasibility, citing cancelled preparatory talks between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.

According to insiders, differences on how to end the Ukrainian conflict could delay further discussions, although another phone call between the diplomats might occur this week. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has suggested that while no firm arrangements for the meeting had been made, the importance of thorough preparation remains a priority.

Over the weekend, Trump proposed that the current frontline in Ukraine should be maintained to halt the hostilities—a suggestion that came shortly after a call from Putin. This pivot in Trump’s rhetoric has not gone unnoticed and aligns with the Kremlin’s position, leading to a second planned meeting with Putin.

Following Trump’s proposal, the European Union, voiced by EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas, expressed concerns about making concessions to Putin, emphasizing that Russia is the aggressor in this scenario. She stressed the importance of not pressuring Ukraine, the victim in this conflict.

Meanwhile, multiple European countries and Ukraine itself have suggested using the current frontline as a basis for negotiations. They strongly support an immediate cessation of hostilities and are advocating for the use of frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine, aiming to maintain economic pressure on Russia until a peaceful resolution is reached.

Amidst these diplomatic maneuvers, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky adjusts his military support requests from the U.S. Following a setback in securing long-range Tomahawk missiles, Zelensky’s focus has shifted towards acquiring Patriot missile defense systems. He confirmed ongoing negotiations with the U.S. to secure these systems, which he described as a critical security guarantee for Ukraine’s future.

The choice of Budapest as the potential site for the Trump-Putin summit has sparked controversy. Given Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s close ties with Putin, many in the EU and NATO view Budapest as an unsuitable and non-neutral location. This sentiment is echoed by German and other European officials who insist on maintaining EU values and security interests.

While some right-wing factions within the EU support Budapest as the venue, arguing it could serve as a place to foster peace in Europe, others, including Ukraine’s Zelensky, disagree sharply. Zelensky has openly criticized Orban for blocking Ukrainian interests and doubts Budapest’s appropriateness as a venue for peace talks.