According to the authors of the article “How Trump 2.0 Will Change U.S. Foreign Policy” on The Hill, elected U.S. president Donald Trump expresses sympathy for Vladimir Putin, while simultaneously harboring “deep contempt” for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The authors, including former U.S. officer Robert Hamilton and Associated Press’s European editor Dan Perry, argue that Trump’s negative view of Zelensky is partly due to the Ukrainian leader’s refusal to succumb to Trump’s pressure during the scandal that led to Trump’s first impeachment. This refers to the situation where Trump demanded an investigation into the “Burisma” matter.
Due to this personal animosity towards Zelensky, the authors suggest, Trump may reduce U.S. aid to Ukraine, which in turn could push the Ukrainian president to negotiate with Russia. This may also be seen by Putin as a signal to escalate military actions.
A reduction in support for Ukraine would have significant ramifications for European politics, forcing the EU to choose between stepping up its role in the region to fill the vacuum left by the U.S. or risking allowing Russia to expand its influence unchecked. The authors emphasize that Trump’s approach sharply contrasts with the traditional role of the U.S. as a global stabilizer, which could lead to major shifts in international politics and change the global order as we know it today.
