Ukraine on hold: Trump shifts focus to Iran
This is reported by POLITICO
The Middle East instead of Eastern Europe
According to sources in the White House, Ukraine has become an ‘afterthought’ within the West Wing. Trump’s top advisers, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are now almost entirely focused on the Iranian issue and preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Trump’s recent actions and statements confirm this shift:
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Criticism of the German Chancellor;
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Threats to reduce the US military presence in three European countries;
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A telephone conversation with Vladimir Putin, during which an agreement was reached on a short-term ceasefire without consulting Ukraine.
Ukraine: from aid to partnership
Despite waning US attention, Ukraine is opening up new sources of stability. The war in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have created an energy shortage, but at the same time increased demand for Ukrainian defence technologies.
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Technology exports: European and Gulf countries are signing agreements with Kyiv on protection against drones.
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Financial autonomy: The EU has approved a €90 billion loan following the lifting of Viktor Orbán’s veto.
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Military autonomy: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is increasingly turning to Turkey as a mediator in negotiations and developing a strategy for action without US support.
European Defence Union
European leaders, aware of their vulnerability to Washington’s policies, are accelerating the creation of a European Defence Union. EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius has proposed involving Ukraine, the UK and Norway in this initiative.
Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen emphasised: “It was painful to conclude that we must reduce our dependence on the US, but that is the state of affairs today.”
Declining trust in the US
According to a KIIS poll, Ukrainians’ trust in US support is plummeting: only 40% of citizens believe the necessary aid will be provided, which is 17 percentage points lower than in January 2026. Zelenskyy sharply criticised Vice-President J.D. Vance’s stance, stating that taking pride in refusing to help Ukraine effectively amounts to aiding Russia.
Despite this, European diplomats believe that a complete break with the US is impossible due to its “enormous leverage”, although Europe itself is now increasingly seeking to take on the leading role in ending the war.
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