I must admit that I don’t really understand the US or European positions on Ukraine now.
What is Trump proposing to do, and to get, if Ukraine agrees to terms the US is negotiating with Russia alone? Is the idea that the US stops support altogether unless it gets rare minerals? Are there actually rare minerals in Ukraine and if so how much of them?
What is Trump proposing the US does if Ukraine rejects the terms?
What is Trump proposing to do if the US can’t reach agreement with Russia?
What would Europe do if there’s no agreement between the US, Russia and Ukraine?
If there’s no peace to keep, what is Europe proposing to do?
And peacekeeping never works if the aggressor is determined. It was disastrous in the Balkans. I don’t believe European countries would stay and fight if Putin’s troops, planes and missiles come at them in Ukraine, because the European public would oppose the casualties.
In case anyone thinks this is defeatist, I strongly support military aid and support in Ukraine and I blame Trump for creating this mess. Europe is to blame historically to the extent that it was content to ride on the US’s coat tails. It was Europe’s job to oppose Russian attack on its neighbour. But if Trump turns away I just can’t see what Europe could do now or in the next ten years to help Ukraine effectively.