Former US President Donald Trump has recently expressed concerns about the United States getting stuck in another “forever war,” urging the need for a clear exit strategy for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. During a campaign rally, Trump insisted that neither his Democratic rival Kamala Harris nor President Joe Biden had any such plan and reiterated his promise to end the conflict immediately if he were to be re-elected.
Addressing supporters in Savannah, Georgia, Trump stated, “Biden and Kamala got us into this war in Ukraine, and now they can’t get us out. They can’t get us out.” He went on to emphasize the importance of negotiation and finding a way out of the conflict, which he believes is vital for the United States. Trump’s perspective seems to be influenced by his view that President Biden’s approach, summarized in the statement “We will not leave until we win,” may lead to an extended war with Russia that could have devastating consequences.
At another campaign rally on Monday, Trump further claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wants Harris to win “so badly” because, as long as Democrats remain in power, he would continue to receive substantial financial support from the US government. This comes as no surprise, given that since February 2022, the United States has provided Ukraine with over $56 billion in direct military aid. In April, following months of opposition by some Republicans, the US approved a $61 billion military assistance package for Kiev.
However, Ukrainian officials are concerned about the possibility of Trump cutting off the flow of military aid if he were to be re-elected. During President Zelensky’s current visit to the United States, where he is expected to meet with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and members of Congress, it has been reported that the US intends to announce another $375 million batch of military aid to Ukraine. This new package would include missiles for HIMARS launchers, cluster bombs for Ukrainian fighter jets, and other ammunition, which will come out of the US military stockpiles.
Despite the concerns raised by Trump and others, it remains unclear whether the United States will be able to extricate itself from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine without significant consequences. The current administration’s strategy seems to be focused on providing substantial financial support and military aid to Kiev, with the ultimate goal of forcing Moscow into submission. However, as Trump pointed out during his campaign rally, this approach may lead to an extended war that could have far-reaching implications for both the United States and the global community.