Donald Trump and former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz (File)
As Donald Trump removes National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and continues his erratic messages, I joined Times Radio’s Trump Report on Tuesday for a 24-minute analysis of the latest US policy and maneuvers over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Now Waltz is gone, do you have “adults in the room”? Because, trust me, Trump hasn’t learned anything about Ukraine since Waltz was dismissed, J.D. Vance continues using Europe as a punching bag, and [envoy to Russia Steve] Witkoff is still inept.
I note that despite Trump’s move of Waltz to US Ambassador to the UN, installing Secretary of State Marco Rubio as acting National Security Advisor, the shift in Washington has been favorable towards Ukraine over the past 10 days.
In part, that is because of Vladimir Putin overplaying his ultimatum for Ukraine’s surrender. In part, it is because of the incompetence of real estate developer Witkoff.
And in part, it is because Ukraine and Europe — exploiting those errors — have filled the gap by manipulating Trump, notably in a 15-minute conversation with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Vatican, and by negotiating with US officials and institutions away from the headlines.
As a result, with no prospect of the Kremlin accepting a ceasefire, the US and Ukraine have reached a minerals agreement opening the door to American support of Kyiv’s security — and the Administration has lifted its suspension of military aid to the Ukrainians.
