Putins „Luftschalt“ gegen die Ukraine signalisiert, dass er von Trump ermutigt wurde

Donald Trump’s capitulation to Russian demands has emboldened [Vladimir Putin](https://inews.co.uk/news/world/putin-getting-everything-wants-russia-trumps-mercy-3563766?ico=in-line_link) whose escalating air attacks on Ukraine aim to bolster Moscow’s advantage before any peace talks, experts have said.

As European leaders gathered at the weekend to work on a peace plan for ending the [war in Ukraine](https://inews.co.uk/topic/russia-ukraine-war?srsltid=AfmBOooEsVCp9utiATPz93Ad0CbyuNpwF5R2J8t1w8eJE6TQmT0V08gS&ico=in-line_link), further east Russian drones continued to devastate civilian infrastructure and take more lives.

“More than 1,050 attack drones, nearly 1,300 aerial bombs, and more than 20 missiles” were launched at Ukraine over the past week “to destroy cities and kill people”, Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday.

The strikes persisted as on Friday, in an [extraordinary showdown in Washington](https://inews.co.uk/opinion/trump-zelensky-horror-show-more-disturbing-display-3562143?ico=in-line_link) between Zelensky and the US President, Trump berated him for allegedly showing insufficient gratitude to the US.

The tense confrontation in the Oval Office prompted Trump to [order a suspension of all US military aid](https://inews.co.uk/news/world/trump-halts-military-aid-to-ukraine-days-after-oval-office-clash-3564844?ico=in-line_link) to Ukraine until he determines Zelensky has made a commitment to peace talks, according to officials.

By halting the vital US assistance, Trump is essentially pressuring Ukraine into negotiations by threatening additional setbacks on the battlefield.

The spectacle of the US leaders bullying the president of an allied nation fighting for its survival came shortly after a dizzying succession of events in which Trump drew America closer to Russia, organizing US-Russia talks on ending the war and [refusing to condemn Russia’s attack](https://inews.co.uk/opinion/trump-zelensky-horror-show-more-disturbing-display-3562143?ico=in-line_link) on Ukraine at the UN.

Russia, watching every move, has been quick to express its delight, with the Kremlin spokesman saying the US’s foreign policy now largely aligns with that of the Russian government.

“Trump has emboldened Putin,” said Timothy Ash, Associate Fellow in the Russia and Eurasia Programme at the London-based think-tank Chatham House.

“I think Trump has given Putin everything he wants, more or less, in terms of he’s given away all his negotiating points, all his leverage. No Nato, no security guarantees.”

The alignment of the Trump administration with the Kremlin’s demands would embolden Moscow to go back to its “maximalist demands,” which include replacing Zelensky and demilitarising Ukraine, making it “unable to defend itself so Russia can attack again”, Ash added.

The potential start of peace negotiations and the prospect of a ceasefire could push Russia to become even more aggressive in the weeks ahead, as Putin seeks to maintain the upper hand.

“Putin always escalates before negotiations,” Ash said. “He’s done that throughout the last decade, so we should expect that.”

Dozens of civilians have been killed across Ukraine since Trump held what he dubbed a “highly productive” phone call with the Russian president less than three weeks ago.

On Monday, the Ukrainian military said it shot down 46 of 83 drones launched by Russia overnight. Another 31 were “lost” and did not reach their targets, likely due to electronic warfare countermeasures, the military added

And Putin’s buddy halted crucial anti air defense. How psychopathic do you have to be to withhold aid to people in a hot war, knowing that Russia regularly targets stuff in civilian areas. Somethin I would have expected to be honest from Tump but why do other people in his administration go along with this?