The Guardian view on Trump’s deal with Putin: grim and grubby, but not gamechanging

The Guardian's editorial board contends that President Donald Trump's renewed tilt toward Moscow is ugly but should not change the trajectory of the war in Ukraine, which it says Russia is losing. Trump, who promised a quick end to the fighting, has reverted to demanding that Ukraine give in before peace can come, the editors write. He recently urged a change of government in Kyiv and said a partial ceasefire had been agreed even as Russian bombardments intensified.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the latest missile attacks hit without the American intelligence warnings that once helped Ukraine defend itself, and there are reports that Ukrainian troops have lost Starlink access, a network controlled by Elon Musk. The Guardian links Trump's stance to American fuel costs and the midterm elections next month: he objects to Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries and has arranged to buy Russian diesel despite sanctions. The editors place the true blame for high energy prices on Trump's war against Iran.

Zelenskyy met Andy Burnham in Downing Street on Wednesday. The editorial praises Burnham for lobbying privately and reaffirming support, signaling that Kremlin-White House deals will not beat Kyiv.

Summarized by PolitiKool from The Guardian’s reporting. Read the full story at The Guardian →