Ukraine prepares offensive shift, Trump hits European allies with tariffs over Greenland - Weekend brief
RBC-Ukraine collage
Ukraine is preparing to shift toward offensive military operations as Kyiv warns that Russia is ramping up its manpower and drone production for a new phase of the war. At the same time, President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on several European allies in a bid to pressure them over Greenland, opening a new front of tension between Washington and Europe.
For more information on what happened over the weekend, see the RBC-Ukraine report.
Ukraine to shift to offensive operations as defense never secures victory – Commander-in-Chief
The head of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, announced that Ukraine will conduct offensive operations, as victory cannot be achieved through defense alone.
According to him, Russia plans to draft more than 400,000 people into the army this year and form at least 11 divisions.
In addition, Russia has plans to significantly increase production in order to launch up to 1,000 drones per day in Ukraine this year.
Russia preparing new strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid and infrastructure, Zelenskyy says
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian intelligence has info about Russia getting ready for new attacks on Ukraine's energy sector and infrastructure.
Defense Intelligence of Ukraine specified that these strikes would target nuclear power plant substations. The goal is to leave Ukrainians completely without electricity and heat and force Ukraine to sign capitulation terms to end the war.
According to Zelenskyy, Russia is trying to damage Ukrainian nuclear power plants, and Ukraine knows which facilities Moscow has been scouting.
Ukrainian delegation arrives in the US for peace agreement talks
Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov announced his visit to the United States, where he is scheduled to hold talks with American partners on the details of a possible peace agreement.
According to him, together with Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov and Member of Parliament David Arahamiya, he will hold a series of meetings in Washington.
On Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he had heard reports from the Ukrainian delegation on the negotiations. Several rounds have already taken place, and the parties are working on the documents needed to end the war.
Trump imposes tariffs on allies over Greenland
US President Donald Trump has announced tariffs against eight European countries over Greenland. The tariffs will be increased in two stages and will remain in effect until the US receives permission to purchase the island.
Denmark, Norway, France, Sweden, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands, and Finland have been hit by the tariffs.
European leaders later responded and announced their readiness to give a joint response. According to Bloomberg, the EU plans to halt the trade agreement with the US reached in 2025.
The Financial Times claims that the EU is considering imposing retaliatory tariffs worth €93 billion.
