Summary
After a tense Oval Office encounter with Donald Trump and JD Vance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received a warm UK welcome, including an official audience with King Charles at Sandringham.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened a defence summit with European and NATO allies to reaffirm solidarity with Ukraine, discuss unlocking frozen Russian assets, and counter the rift caused by Trump’s accusations of Zelenskyy’s ingratitude.
European leaders fear the spat endangers Western unity and peace efforts and are vowing no negotiations on Ukraine without Ukrainian involvement.
It’s interesting that conservative circles are lauding Trump for removing the US from wars in “matters that don’t concern us”. Their take, not mine.
And yet. All of this feels like a seismic shift prefacing going to war.
Even the first term I always had the sense Trump wanted to play with war toys. Akin to him acting like a little boy playing with toy truck when behind the wheel of a construction vehicle. Now he’s more erratic than ever before, and has the people around him willing to do his bidding.
And this is not an administration that would hesitate to draft people.
And yet. All of this feels like a seismic shit prefacing going to war
And what’s the solution to that? Further militarization of the US and Europe? Or diplomacy and negotiations?
Diplomacy? From Trump? That’s not happening on any timeline.
So let’s push for ramping up the military industrial complex in Europe instead?
