Buying time for Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump has promised more weapons for Ukraine, but is slow to penalize countries that still buy cut-rate Russian oil, thus supporting Moscow’s war economy.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelynskyy. For the first time, Ukraine will be getting weapons actually ordered by the U.S. president, though what Donald Trump is willing to send remains unclear.Photograph courtesy of Ukraine Office of the President

Opinion

BY GWYNNE DYER

July 17, 2025

There was rejoicing when United States President Donald Trump announced that he was going to let Ukraine have weapons after all, but it was conspicuously contained joy. Half-smiles and sighs of relief were plentiful; cheers were absent or faked.

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