Financial Times: Trump Still Sees Zelensky as Main Obstacle to Peace
The English section of webangah News Agency, quoting Mehr News Agency citing TASS, reported that the Financial Times, referring to informed sources, wrote that Ukraine’s Western allies believe U.S. President Donald Trump, despite softening his tone toward Moscow, still regards Russian President Vladimir Putin as a negotiating partner and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as the primary barrier to peace.
One Western official told the Financial Times, “The shift in tone (from Trump regarding Moscow and Putin) sparked some excessive excitement, but we don’t interpret this change as signaling major actions.”
Financial Times sources added that American Patriot air defense systems are vital for Ukraine’s defense but have not enhanced Kyiv’s counteroffensive capabilities and will not alter the overall dynamics of the war.
Zelensky had previously stated that the U.S. has resumed arms supplies to Ukraine.
the New York Times reported on July 2 that Washington had suspended shipments of Patriot systems, GMLRS precision-guided munitions, Hellfire missiles, Stinger man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS), and various other weapons for Ukraine. At that time, Kyiv summoned Charge d’Affaires John J. Sullivan and Zelensky emphasized that Europe could not replace American weapons supplies.
On July 3, Trump said Washington would continue military aid to Kyiv while emphasizing that America’s own weapons stockpile must also meet its national needs.
On July 7, the U.S. president effectively resumed deliveries of military equipment and arms to ukraine. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on July 10 that American arms support for Ukraine proceeds under an arrangement agreed upon by the white House and Congress.
