Russian President Vladimir Putin with Donald Trump, Helsinki, July 16, 2018

EA-Times Radio VideoCast: Why Trump’s Retreat on Ukraine Is Not Putin’s Victory

EA-Times Radio Special: Facing Trump from Ukraine to “No Kings” Marches

Less than a week after trying to manipulate Donald Trump in a phone call, Vladimir Putin has snubbed the American by cancelling a face-to-face meeting, maintaining Russia’s maximum demands in its invasion of Ukraine, and attacking civilian areas with missiles and drones.

I analyzed the developments in a chat with Indian and British outlets on Wednesday.

Watch India’s WION from 4:16

I explain the Kremlin’s tactics, pushing Trump into saying that an encounter with Putin would be a “wasted meeting”.

This is the same place where we have been for months: Russia tries to break Ukraine.

They have only made a limited advance on the frontlines. So they keep up those missile and drone strikes. Some are on energy facilities but some are killing civilians, hoping that it will make Kyiv stop the fight or freeze it out.

Listen to BBC Radio Scotland from 56:20

I explain how Russia scuttled the meeting, but I note that refusal of a ceasefire and renewed attacks allows Ukraine and its European partners to maneuver Trump back toward support of Kyiv.

I describe how, in the meantime, Europe must take the lead in maintaining Ukraine’s resistance. That will be highlighted in a Friday summit in London attended by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and European counterparts.

Every time Putin pushes the US back, there is a space that opens up. That has led to the US selling arms to Ukraine via NATO members and to the restoration of American intelligence-sharing for Ukraine’s attacks inside Russia.

They will keep working with US officials who can get into Trump’s ear and say, “Look what Vladimir Putin has done to you. You need to consider stepping up the military assistance to Ukraine, including the possibility of Tomahawk missiles.