According to the Washington Post, there are reports indicating that former President Donald Trump has expressed a belief that he could bring an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine by exerting pressure on the embattled Ukrainian government to surrender territory. This is noteworthy considering the consistent and strong stance taken by Ukraine’s leaders, who have repeatedly refused to give up any land in the ongoing conflict.
According to anonymous sources who have had discussions with Trump or his advisers, Trump has publicly stated that he could bring an end to the war within a day if he were to return to the presidency. Although he has not provided many specifics about his plan, The Washington Post reports that Trump intends to exert pressure on Ukraine in order to persuade them to give up Crimea and the Donbas border regions to Russia.
A decade ago, Crimea was seized by Russia. The Donbas region has been witnessing a prolonged conflict as Russian-backed separatists continue to battle. Additionally, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine over two years ago resulted in the country gaining control over certain areas of the Donbas.
Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to Ukraine’s Internal Affairs Ministry, has dismissed Trump’s plan, stating that ceding land would be detrimental not only to Ukraine but also to the rest of the world. He expressed his concerns about the potential consequences of such a decision in a post on social media.
He stated that if that were to happen, it would signify the complete breakdown of the post-World War II global order. It would also serve as a clear indication that the use of force is now prioritized over the rule of law.
President Joe Biden has stood up for Ukraine’s stance against any land grab, calling for measures to deter Russian aggression and advocating for an additional $60 billion in military assistance to Ukraine. Certain members of Congress who support former President Trump have issued threats to impede the provision of aid.
Developments:
Ukraine’s Energy Minister, German Galushchenko, emphasized the urgent need for advanced air defense systems to safeguard the country’s energy infrastructure. According to him, these systems are vital in order to protect Ukraine from potential missile and drone attacks carried out by Russia. By investing in such technologies, Ukraine aims to prevent power outages and ensure the uninterrupted functioning of its energy sector. Galushchenko shared these concerns during an interview with Bloomberg.
According to estimates from the British Defense Ministry, the Russian forces in Ukraine have experienced an average of 658 casualties per day since the start of the war in February 2022. The ministry noted that this average has been steadily increasing over the years, rising from 400 in 2022 to 693 in 2023, and reaching 913 in the first quarter of this year.
Rep. Don Bacon has issued a warning, stating that there is a possibility that Mike Johnson could lose the speakership due to the issue surrounding Ukraine aid.
Slovakia elects pro-Russian president
Slovak nationalist-left government candidate Peter Pellegrini emerged victorious in the presidential election on Saturday, solidifying the influence of pro-Russian Prime Minister Robert Fico in the country. Pellegrini secured 53.26% of the vote, while pro-Western opposition candidate Ivan Korcok received 46.73%.
Since his return to power in October, Fico has taken a different approach to Slovakia’s foreign policy, shifting the country’s focus towards Russia. He has also introduced changes in criminal law and media rights, which have raised concerns among Western countries. One notable action taken by Fico’s coalition, which includes Pellegrini, is the suspension of Slovak official shipments of weapons to Ukraine. It is worth noting that Slovakia, despite sharing a border with Ukraine but not Russia, is a member of both the European Union and NATO.
The president of Slovakia possesses limited powers, which include ratifying international treaties, appointing judges, serving as the commander in chief of the armed forces, and having the authority to veto laws passed by parliament.
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