https://amgreatness.com/2025/07/18/on-ukraine-war-trump-proves-his-foreign-policy-is-pragmatic-and-that-adversaries-who-defy-him-will-face-consequences/
President Trump’s announcement that he will send weapons to Ukraine through NATO and his pledge to impose crippling energy sanctions against Russia in 50 days if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not agree to a cease-fire in the Ukraine War led to the usual mocking criticism of Trump by the mainstream media.
Many reporters slammed Trump’s decision as hypocrisy and flip-flopping, claiming that it contradicted his campaign promises to quickly end the war in Ukraine and keep America out of new wars. Other reporters gloated that Trump’s decision to send additional weapons to Ukraine meant he was implementing President Biden’s Ukraine policy.
These criticisms were far from the truth. What is true about President Trump’s policy shift on the Ukraine War is that for the second time in a month, Trump demonstrated that he will adjust his America First approach to U.S. national security when circumstances change and to maintain American credibility on the world stage.
President Trump announced during a July 14 Oval Office press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that he had decided, due to Putin’s refusal to agree to a cease-fire in the Ukraine War, to sell Patriot missile batteries to NATO to provide to Ukraine. According to press reports, the president may also have decided to sell missiles to Ukraine that could be fired deep inside Russia.
In addition, President Trump announced that the U.S. will impose “severe” 100% secondary tariffs on countries that buy energy from Russia if Putin does not agree to a cease-fire in 50 days.
President Trump expressed his growing frustration with Putin for accelerating the war despite their phone discussions about implementing a cease-fire and diplomatic efforts by Trump’s national security team officials with Russian, Ukrainian, and European officials.
Unfortunately, after six months of Trump’s intensive diplomatic efforts to stop the killing in Ukraine, Putin has shown no interest in ending the war. Putin has not only ignored President Trump’s peace efforts, but he has also disrespected him.
This is why a shift in Trump’s Ukraine policy was needed.