Russia is looking to press its military advantage in Ukraine
Image: Gleb Garanich/Reuters
Russia has further escalated its aerial attacks against major Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, culminating with massive drone strikes on back-to-back nights over the past two days.
- On Wednesday, Moscow conducted its largest drone assault since the start of its full-scale invasion, launching 728 drones and 13 missiles in an attack that killed at least one Ukrainian.
- Russia followed things up with another major attack a day later involving 540+ drones, which targeted Kyiv and other major Ukrainian cities.
Both strikes came after the White House ordered a pause on US shipments of defensive weapons to Ukraine, then reversed course one week later.
The situation on the ground is also changing. Ukrainian troops have been almost entirely ejected from Russia’s Kursk region following a short-lived incursion that first launched last August, with Russian troops now pouring over the border into Ukraine’s Sumy region. Moscow has currently amassed ~50,000 troops in the area, outnumbering Ukrainians there by a ~3-to-1 margin, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Not Putin it there, pardner
As Russia continues ramping up its attacks against Ukraine, efforts to reach a ceasefire have largely stalled, causing frustrations to mount in Washington. Following a call with Russian President Putin on Tuesday, President Trump said he was “very disappointed” with the discussion and criticized the Russian leader for only pretending he wants the war to end.
- “We get a lot of bullsh*t thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth,” Trump said in a Cabinet meeting. “He’s very nice all of the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.”
Trump’s sentiments are shared by Congress. A bipartisan group of 83 US senators are cosponsoring a new Russia sanctions package that would levy significant tariffs on Moscow, as well as any country that buys its oil, gas, or uranium.
Looking ahead…Top Republican leaders say they’re prepared to bring a vote on new Russia sanctions as early as this month, though the question of Trump’s approval is still up in the air.
📊 Flash poll: In general, how do you feel about the way America’s role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict has changed since President Trump took office?
See a 360° view of what pundits are saying →
Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that Trump can and should start authorizing new missile interceptor deliveries of his own, rather than just interfering with those authorized by his predecessor, and that Congress should pass its enhanced Russia sanctions package in combination with similar action from Europe.
- Others contend that no one should count on Trump remaining aggrieved by Russia for long, and even less on that producing significant action. Though the US has resumed weapons shipments after a pause, the deliveries authorized by Biden will soon reach their end, leaving open the question of future US support for Ukraine.
- “Ukraine Doesn't Need a Recovery. It Needs a Rescue” –Marc Champion, Bloomberg
- “On Ukraine’s future: Putin may be gaining ground, but he is not winning” –The Guardian Editorial Board
- “Don’t believe the conventional wisdom. Ukraine can still lose.” –Lee Hockstader, WaPo
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that the case for arming Ukraine is a realist one: Putin is refusing to end the war he started because he still thinks he can accomplish enough of what he wants on the battlefield, and the US sending weapons to Ukraine is a new message to Putin.
- Others contend that when it comes to Ukraine, Trump has been clear about what he would do if Putin doesn’t agree to end the war: impose crippling secondary tariffs, and give Ukraine more weapons than ever. Now that Putin has rejected Trump’s peace efforts, Trump must follow through.
- “Trump Calls Out the Putin Charade” –WSJ Editorial Board
- “Watch Trump make good on his Ukraine promises” –Marc A. Thiessen, WaPo
- “Vlad gave his answer to peace, Mr. President: We must re-arm Ukraine “ –NY Post Editorial Board
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