Trump finally understood that our best course of action is to support Ukraine rather than Russia
President Donald Trump declared on July 10 that the United States would be sending Ukraine additional weapons. That indicated a change in his strategy for that conflict and possibly a greater realization by the government of our proper role in that conflict.
The announcement follows a pause on U.S. aid supplies and months of Trump’s insistence that the war in Ukraine will end quickly.
My concerns about Trump 2.0 have mostly materialized, but he has demonstrated greater foreign policy acumen than his campaign rhetoric indicated. In terms of foreign policy, the president appears to be reaffirming his position as a strong interventionist.
Trump is realizing that the isolationist right lives in a fantasy
Early in his administration and during the campaign, Trump maintained that he could put an end to the conflict on his first day in office.
Trump insisted he would be able to negotiate a quick conclusion even though that never happened. He initially became irritated with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which led to the notorious altercation between Zelenskyy and Trump’s isolationist attack dog, Vice President JD Vance, in the Oval Office.
Trump therefore increased his criticism of Zelenskyy’s war strategy and halted aid to Ukraine until July to find a diplomatic solution.
The refusal of Russian President Vladimir Putin to pursue peace has now angered Trump. At last.
Ukraine has continued to fight as Russia misplayed its negotiating hand
To win over those conservative voices and demonstrate his negotiation might, Trump came into his second term keen to put an end to the conflict in Ukraine. In actuality, however, the United States stands to gain from continuing to back Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
Russia has not been eager to discuss a settlement to end the war, and Ukraine has continued to fight against overwhelming odds. According to reports, Russia has demanded far too much in the negotiations over Ukraine, even for Vance, who has stated in the past that “I don’t really care what happens to Ukraine one way or another.”
Fortunately, Trump is finally open to reality, perhaps as a result of hearing his wife’s common sense. That’s preferable to hoping that the conflict would end so he may achieve his political goals, regardless of the fate of other countries.
Trump seems to have snapped out of his anti-intervention daydream
Positively, Trump has returned to the foreign policy posture of his first term, which was, from a conservative standpoint, largely excellent. Although I am ready for Trump to make me appear foolish on this matter, I am happy that he is prioritizing America’s strategic interests over those of his isolationist supporters, at least for the time being.
Trump was convinced that he would bring the war to a diplomatic settlement, so his change of heart toward Russia is especially noteworthy. Trump is now actively extending the crisis by arming Ukraine instead.
Trump is prepared to anger members of his own government who have mixed feelings about Ukraine’s future or perhaps have a favorable opinion of Russia because he understands the strategic significance of Ukraine’s survival once this war is finished.
Trump appears to have woken up from his anti-intervention nirvana due to the drama surrounding the Iran bomber raids. Fortunately, he suddenly appears prepared to defend American interests overseas. It’s better late than never.
Dace Potas, a political science graduate of DePaul University, writes opinion pieces for USA TODAY.