Trump's Tilt Towards Putin Over Ukraine

Robert Patman, professor of international relations at the University of Otago, unpacks the latest twists in the Russia-Ukraine war as the US under President Trump moves closer to Moscow - lifting sanctions, striking a diesel export deal, and sidelining Ukraine and Europe from peace talks. He argues this is not a neutral brokering effort but a long-standing pro-Putin stance, pointing to Trump's history of refusing to criticise the Russian leader and his proposal for a "land for peace" deal that would reward an aggressor in breach of international law.

Professor Patman contends the US has effectively stopped directly funding Ukraine's defence while Europe foots the bill, and warns that rewarding Putin's invasion sets a dangerous precedent for powers like China eyeing Taiwan. He also links the diplomatic shift to domestic politics, suggesting Trump is using Ukraine as a scapegoat for rising petrol prices actually driven by the Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz tensions, ahead of midterm elections where affordability concerns and tariff-driven inflation could cost Republicans control of Congress.

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