President Trump is escalating pressure on Ukraine while signaling a more flexible stance toward Russia, leading to global uncertainty over U.S. foreign policy. After pausing all military aid and intelligence-sharing with Kyiv, Trump is now threatening large-scale sanctions and tariffs on Russia unless a ceasefire and final peace agreement are reached.
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Despite Trump’s hardline rhetoric, Russia launched its largest missile attack on Ukraine’s energy grid in months last week. Ukraine, backed by European allies like France, remains defiant but vulnerable without U.S. support. Negotiations resume next week in Saudi Arabia.
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Amidst fears of Russia continuing westward expansion of its military campaign, and in response to Trump pulling support for Ukranian arms, European leaders are now scrambling to increase their own defenses and defense funding for Ukraine. Figures for European defense budget increases range between $800 billion to $1 trillion over the next decade, and have caused a spike in European defense contractor stocks like Rheinmetal and BAE Systems. For perspective, the U.S. spends that amount annually. The view from the Trump administration is that the U.S. has paid for the lion's share of Europe's security for too long while Europe has benefited at the expense of the United States. Apparently, that era is now over.

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