#european-security

#european-security

The goal is to cause an energy crisis and trigger a new refugee wave to destabilise Ukraine's European allies. As winter approaches, there is much anxiety in Ukraine. Last month, the so-called Coalition of the Willing, a group of Ukraine's allies led by France and the United Kingdom, agreed to mobilise significant resources to help Kyiv maintain its supply of electricity and central heating in big urban areas.

Verdun in the Donbas. The future of Ukraine and Russia, of European security, and of US-Russian relations now all hang on a few small half-ruined towns in the northwestern part of Donetsk province. Indeed, given the continued risk of a radical escalation leading to actual conflict between NATO and Russia, the stakes may be higher even than that.

Donald Trump one day says that Ukraine lacks the means to defeat Russia, but the next claims that Kyiv could regain control of the entire country, which was invaded by Vladimir Putin's troops more than three years ago. I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form, Trump wrote on his social network, Truth Social, on Tuesday.

Then, on a call earlier this month with the State Department, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby said that he didn't believe in the value of certainforeign military sales, according to two administration officials with knowledge of the discussion. He added that he didn't like the idea of selling Patriots-which can intercept incoming missiles-to Denmark, because they are in short supply and should be reserved for the United States to use as needed.

We'll put more there if they want, he said in the Oval Office. We're with Poland all the way, and we'll help Poland protect itself. Nawrocki, a right-wing historian and avid Trump ally who was sworn in as Poland's new president last month, thanked Trump for his commitment to continued cooperation with his country. Those relations for me, for Poland, for Poles, are very important, he said.

Ever since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Moldova has been popping up in the news with increasing frequency. The Republic of Moldova is a small country on Ukraine's southwestern border, and in the spring of 2022, it seemed possible that Russia might also invade and occupy it. This would have opened up a second front for Ukraine and brought Russia right up to the southeastern border of both the EU and NATO.

European leaders have been urgently working to figure out the next steps to ending Russia's nearly four-year war in Ukraine following their meeting at the White House on Monday. Trump has ruled out sending U.S. troops to join a European-led force that would guard against another potential Russian invasion. Less than 24 hours after the meetings with Trump, the European Union leaders who were present were in virtual sessions debriefing their counterparts.

Today's meeting with the US leader presents similar dangers, but the Ukrainian president, and Europe, cannot be caught on the hop. The pressure may be more subtle and exerted by stealth, but it may feel equally overwhelming.

President Donald Trump warned that there will be "very severe consequences" if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not agree to stop the war against Ukraine after their summit.

The US plans to sell Patriot batteries and other weapons to European allies that would be transferred to Kyiv in a coordinated effort to enhance Ukraine's air defense.

Major General (ret) Karl Engelbrektson emphasizes the urgent need for increased military production capacity in response to evolving global conflicts and a critical TNT shortage in Europe.