US rhetoric on Ukraine demonstrates a shift in emphasis from unconditional support to a pragmatic approach with a reassessment of costs and benefits. Against this background, Ukraine is intensifying negotiations on security guarantees, trying to fix clear obligations of partners. In parallel, a new configuration of cooperation is taking shape, where military assistance is combined with political pressure and negotiations. All this is happening against the background of global crises that affect the priorities of the West.
Trump stated that the US should not have intervened in the war in Ukraine
US President Donald Trump saidthat Washington should not have intervened in the war in Ukraine and spent significant financial resources to support Kyiv. He emphasized that the US has spent hundreds of billions of dollars and criticized the previous administration for such decisions. According to him, Ukraine's geographical remoteness calls into question the feasibility of large-scale participation by the United States. Trump used this position to criticize the previous foreign policy course.
“We are spending billions. We should not have gone into Ukraine. Ukraine is thousands of miles away, across the ocean. We had a president who was just a fool: he gave them $350 billion and got nothing in return,” he said. The president also noted that the United States is now forced to increase the production of ammunition after its transfer to Ukraine. At the same time, he emphasized that the supply of weapons is currently carried out on a commercial basis. According to him, the costs for this are covered by the European Union.
Trump plans a sharp increase in defense spending in the 2027 budget
Donald Trump’s administration preparing a draft budget for the 2027 fiscal year, which provides for a significant increase in defense spending. It is expected that they could reach about $1.5 trillion, which significantly exceeds current figures. This is planned to be partially financed by reducing spending on domestic government programs. This approach could cause political controversy among both Democrats and Republicans.
At the same time, the budget will not cover key social programs, which makes it difficult to estimate the long-term deficit. Economic forecasts may be affected by the consequences of the war with Iran, in particular, rising oil prices and inflation risks. The administration is also considering reducing the state apparatus and changing the financing of individual sectors. Procedural mechanisms that allow bypassing the opposition in the Senate may be used to pass the budget.
Melania Trump announced the return of Ukrainian children from Russia
US First Lady Melania Trump reported on facilitating the return of seven Ukrainian children who were in Russia. According to her, six minors will soon return to their families in Ukraine, and another child is planned to be returned later in April. The White House noted that this is the fourth time it has helped accelerate such processes. The issue of the return of children is considered one of the key humanitarian aspects of the war.
“The reunification of children with their loved ones in this region of the world remains one of the most important global issues of our time. I encourage both sides to remain committed to continued cooperation, enhancing the safety and well-being of children in this terrible war,” the US first lady said. The White House stressed that cooperation between the parties continues to identify displaced persons. This is a systematic work on the return of children who were taken away as a result of the war. It is separately noted that such processes require further coordination between states.
UN Secretary-General warns of the risk of a wider war in the Middle East
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres saidthat the world is on the verge of a large-scale expansion of the conflict in the Middle East. He called on the parties to immediately cease hostilities and move to a diplomatic settlement. According to him, the current escalation is already causing significant human losses and destruction, and also has serious economic consequences. He drew particular attention to the threat to civilians and critical infrastructure.
“My message is clear. It is time for the United States and Israel to stop a war that is causing immense human suffering and is already having devastating economic consequences. It is time for Iran to stop attacking its neighbors,” Guterres said.
He stressed that the conflict has been going on for two months and is escalating every day. “We are on the brink of a broader war that could engulf the entire Middle East with dramatic consequences for the world,” he said.
The Secretary-General also highlighted the impact of the situation on global markets due to restrictions on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and called for an immediate end to the escalation.
Security guarantees
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said, that Ukraine will supplement the document on security guarantees in the coming days, providing answers to key issues that remain unresolved. According to him, the discussion with the American side is taking place in a partnership format, but concerns complex topics, including territorial issues. He emphasized that such decisions can only be made at the level of state leaders. The Ukrainian side seeks to clearly fix the conditions that will be understandable to society.
“It was an important conversation, and it took place in the right mood – we spoke as partners. First: everyone understands that complex issues – issues that concern territories – can only be resolved by the leaders of the three countries. Second: in any case, Ukraine must have an understanding of security guarantees. Everything must be written out so that Ukrainians understand them. This is very important. We do not know whether we will get what we agreed on, but the agreement is this: in the coming days, Ukraine will include in the developed document the answers to the questions we have regarding these security guarantees,” he said.
The President stressed the need to determine the US reaction in the event of new Russian aggression and raised the issue of financing the Ukrainian army. The possibility of obtaining anti-ballistic systems is also being considered.
Zelensky said, that Ukraine will offer its own vision of security guarantees, after which the US will be able to make its own adjustments. He also initiated the arrival of an American delegation to Kyiv as an alternative to trilateral negotiations.
“I invited the American negotiating delegation to Kyiv. The delegation will do everything possible in the current conditions – during the war with Iran – to come to Kyiv. This is an alternative option for a trilateral meeting at the level of technical groups. The American group can come to us and then go to Moscow. If the three of us can’t, let’s do it this way – one by one. This is our proposal,” he noted.
According to the president, the partners have already given preliminary positive signals regarding such a format.
Photo: brookings.edu
Author: Danylo Pievchev