Of course Trump is helping Russia in Ukraine – he’s a master of the art of betrayal | Jonathan Freedland
The old certainties have gone. We will have to spend whatever it takes to protect ourselves in this new and dangerous world Donald Trump must find it oddly frustrating. He keeps showing the world exactly who he is, and yet the world keeps refusing to believe it. As clearly as he can, he is announcing that he is not the leader of the free world, that he is not even a reliable member of the democratic west, that he is…
Key points
- Trump ordered limits on Ukraine's use of Starshield, weakening its drone and air defense capabilities.
- The US agreed to buy $4bn of Russian diesel, breaking international sanctions on Moscow.
- MI5's head called Russia 'aggressor number one' as Russian sabotage incidents in Europe reached 151.
US President Donald Trump is actively helping Russia in its war against Ukraine, according to a Guardian opinion piece by Jonathan Freedland. The article cites several recent actions, including an order from the White House to restrict Ukraine's use of Starshield, a military-grade version of Elon Musk's Starlink system. The restriction prevented Ukrainian forces from using the system at speeds above 100mph, limiting their ability to guide drones and protect Kyiv from Russian attacks.
The piece also notes that the US agreed to buy $4bn worth of Russian diesel oil, breaking international sanctions on Moscow. Trump also invited Vladimir Putin to attend December's G20 meeting at one of his golf clubs in Florida. The article states that these moves come as Russia's military position was looking precarious, and that Trump has effectively switched sides.
What officials said
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Piers Morgan that the Starshield decision 'will bring a lot of human losses' and that 'people will die.' The head of MI5 described Russia as 'aggressor number one.' One study found 151 confirmed Russian-directed industrial sabotage incidents in Europe between February 2022 and February 2026. Last weekend brought credible reports of a Russian intention to assassinate executives of key European defence firms.
The decision will bring a lot of human losses. Of course, people will die.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Implications for allies
The article argues that the US's erstwhile allies must keep supporting Ukraine more energetically and avoid assuming that Democratic gains in the upcoming midterm elections will restore normal transatlantic relations. One Washington hand warns that a constrained Trump could become a 'cornered animal,' and a former UK cabinet minister says the shift is permanent. The piece calls on Britain and Europe to be able to defend themselves with their own armies and arms, and says John Healey should make this argument in his first budget on 28 October.
