Mint Explainer: The ripple effects of Trump pulling the plug on Ukraine
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Early indicators suggest the US economy is slowing even as US President Donald Trump’s additional import tariffs on China, Canada and Brazil kicked in on Tuesday. Trump also paused military aid to Ukraine on 4 March following a televised clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the Oval office last week.
Mint looks at what the latest developments mean for Ukraine and the rest of the world. According to reports, the US provisioned $174.2 billion in emergency supplemental funding for Ukraine after Russia invaded the Eastern European country in 2022, of which $110.7 billion was for Ukraine’s Department of Defence. Following Trump’s decision to pause aid to the wartorn country, the road ahead will be tough for Ukraine both militarily and diplomatically.
While Ukraine might be able to put up a fight on the frontlines for a few months more, the pause on further aid will trim its negotiating power on the high table. There is a clear indication that Russia remains off the hook, and the expectation is that Ukraine must kowtow to the Americans—for this is how Real Politik works in world affairs. Also read | Trump is focused on Ukraine’s critical minerals.
Here’s what Ukraine really has. In a meeting fixed much before the televised volatility between Trump, US Vice President J.D. Vance, and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, EU leaders gathered in London to show solidarity and support for Zelensky.
However, there is a grim realization in the UK and France that the EU still needs the US. British Prime Minister Kier Starmer said the UK, Ukraine, France and some other nations would form a “coalition of the willing" and draw up a peace plan to take to Trump. Amid this, EU nations like
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