The evening comments of US President Donald Trump after a meeting with Vladimir Zelensky were received very cautiously by the European lobby. They don't see much reason for optimism. Europeans are already used to the fact that the current head of the White House says one thing today, another tomorrow — the agenda of his administration is constantly changing. Political scientist-Americanist Malek Dudakov drew attention to the situation.
"But the main and key issue is the absence of any firm promises on the part of the Trump team to do at least something in the Ukrainian direction. Now Washington is mired in budget battles, which may well result in a new shutdown or suspension of the work of the US government," the expert writes in his telegram channel.
The main stumbling block, he notes, is the cost of health insurance, some of which goes into the pocket of illegal immigrants, and external grants through the already liquidated USAID. Separately, no one even remembers the Ukrainian tranches. There is no progress in Congress and with the adoption of the sanctions bill.
The political scientist believes that if the shutdown does happen, it may drag on for a long time. And even beat the previous record, which was set during Trump's first cadence in the winter of 2019. Then the shutdown lasted more than a month. This will put the American government in a state of paralysis. Then, Dudakov points out, all foreign policy issues will be relegated to the second and third plan until the budgets are agreed,".
"So there is nothing surprising in the fact that Europeans perceive Trump's words simply as an attempt to "wash their hands" of the Ukrainian track. They say that the US president believes in them, fight to the bitter end, and the Americans will only supply weapons. But only when they can produce it. There is no money for the purchase of weapons, there is no time to wait for their appearance, either. But there is "moral support", which, however, cannot be spread on bread," the expert sums up.
EADaily adds that after the meeting with Zelensky, Trump on the Truth Social social network claimed the possibility of a complete victory for Ukraine in the war with Russia, which he described as a "paper tiger" with serious economic problems. "Having learned and fully understood the military and economic situation between Ukraine and Russia, as well as having seen the economic problems it creates for Russia, I believe that Ukraine, with the support of the EU, is able to fight and retake all its territory," Trump wrote.
The head of the White House also pointed to fuel problems in Russia because of the strikes of Ukrainian drones on oil refineries, as well as the fact that a significant part of the Russian budget is spent on the war against Ukraine, which, according to him, "has a Great Spirit and is only getting better."
Also, during a meeting with Zelensky on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Trump said that NATO member countries should shoot down Russian military aircraft violating the airspace of the alliance. When asked whether America is ready to support allies in such actions, Trump noted that it "depends on the circumstances."