Bluff or real threats? Why Trump is trying to 'pressure' Ukraine – Expert opinion
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump is trying to put pressure on Ukraine, but Kyiv is not going to give in. Political analyst Taras Zahorodniy tells RBC-Ukraine that a conflict is already arising between the US and Russia.
Zahorodniy says that US President Donald Trump's attempts to put pressure on Ukraine will not bring him the desired result. Despite the Kremlin's expectations, Trump is not ready to fulfill the demands of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and instead, their relations are only getting worse.
Zahorodniy drew attention to the fact that Putin is dissatisfied and has started talking about the Oreshnik missile again, indicating that there is no agreement between Russia and the United States.
“If there was, Putin would not be so unhappy,” he said.
The political analyst also reminded that Putin is against the deployment of peacekeepers in Ukraine, which is Trump's idea. So, there is already a conflict of interest between them.
Zahorodniy believes that Trump will try to put pressure on Ukraine as well, because this is his way of negotiating. The Ukrainian position is much stronger now than in 2022. “Moreover, no one forbids Ukraine to strike at Russian territory. The aid has not been stopped, the Starlinks are working.”
He also notes that Trump probably perceived Ukraine as a weak link, but miscalculated. He started talking about Ukraine's presidential election but caused a backlash both in Kyiv and in the US. Republicans and Democrats already realize that this will not work.
Ukraine's autonomy and strategic partnership with the United States
Regarding military support, Zahorodniy said that the threat of Starlink being switched off is not critical, as the Ukrainian military is already considering options to reduce its dependence on them.
“The more autonomous we are in our defense industry, the less leverage they have,” he emphasized.
The expert urged not to succumb to anti-American hysteria. “The United States is a strategic ally of Ukraine. We should build relations with them, not blame them for all the problems.” In his opinion, Trump's negotiating style is tough, but this does not mean that he is ready to give up on Ukraine.
The political scientist emphasizes that Ukraine has the right to set counter conditions: “If the West wants elections, let it provide resources. If there are no resources, then there is no point in demanding elections.”
Zahorodniy believes that the current situation is normal for the negotiation process and should not be dramatized. “The Americans are our strategic ally, we need to build relations with them, not shout that they are guilty of something,” the expert concluded.
As a reminder, the US may restrict Ukraine's access to Starlink, demanding control over strategic mineral resources.
US President Donald Trump said that he intends to renew the agreement on rare earth minerals, hinting that otherwise Volodymyr Zelenskyy would be dissatisfied.
