What's happened
Following Donald Trump's reelection, his Cabinet nominations have sparked concerns about U.S. support for Ukraine amid ongoing Russian advances. Key appointments, including Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary, suggest a shift in foreign policy that may impact military aid and diplomatic relations with Kyiv.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Business Insider, Trump's early Cabinet picks reflect a strategy focused on loyalty, with political science professor David E. Lewis noting that Trump has a 'deeper pool' of allies this time around. Hegseth's views on Ukraine, as reported by Axios, suggest a reluctance for U.S. intervention, raising alarms among Ukrainian soldiers who worry about losing vital support. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasizes the need for continued military assistance to Ukraine, highlighting the precarious situation on the ground as Russian forces gain momentum. The New York Times points out that Trump's promise to end the war quickly may lead to unfavorable terms for Ukraine, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.
How we got here
Trump's return to the presidency has reignited fears in Ukraine regarding U.S. support. His previous administration's approach to foreign policy, particularly towards Russia, raises questions about future military aid and the potential for peace negotiations that may favor Moscow.
More on these topics
-
Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
-
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
-
Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
-
North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.
-
Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 and represented Delaware in the United States Senate
-
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
-
Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy is a Ukrainian politician, actor and comedian who is the 6th and current president of Ukraine, serving since May 2019.
-
Mark Rutte is a Dutch politician serving as Prime Minister of the Netherlands since 2010 and Leader of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy since 2006.
-
James David Vance is an American author and venture capitalist. He is best known for his memoir Hillbilly Elegy, about Appalachian values and their relation to the social problems of his hometown, which attracted significant media attention during the 201
-
Kamala Devi Harris is an American attorney and politician who has served as the junior United States Senator from California since 2017.
-
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 North American and European countries.
-
Lee Michael Zeldin is an American lawyer and politician currently serving as a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He has represented New York's 1st congressional district since taking office in January 2015.
-
Kristi Lynn Noem is an American politician who is the 33rd governor of South Dakota, serving since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, she previously served as the U.S.