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Vladimir Putin will also want peace, as Donald Trump says, but in the meantime he is violently pounding Kiev with drones and missiles, just on the eve of the NATO summit in Ankara – the “summit of truth”, according to several allied diplomats. It’s always like this. As soon as a key meeting looms on the horizon, the Tsar finds a way to talk at length with The Donald, in an obvious attempt to mesmerize him. Lately, it must be said, he seems to succeed less and less.
“Putin wants to end the war, he wants it badly,” the tycoon assured from the Oval Office. “And Zelensky too, we’ll talk about it in Ankara.” We’ll see. Europeans are very skeptical about it and go their own way. That is, supporting Kiev, without ifs or buts, with some disagreements, however, between those who pay the bill more than others.
Zelensky in Ankara with “cards in hand”
Ukraine will be one of the topics that the allies will discuss in the Turkish capital, as was predictable and foreseen, taking advantage of the presence of Volodymyr Zelensky, both at the leaders’ dinner on Tuesday evening at the presidential palace and in the context of the various bilateral negotiations planned, one above all the one with Trump at the end of the Atlantic Council. The mood on the other hand has changed. Now the Ukrainian leader has the cards: his drones fly thousands of kilometers away, loaded with explosives, and blow up Russian refineries.
“NATO leaders support the intensification of drone attacks as part of efforts to force Moscow to return to the negotiating table,” said Finnish President Alexander Stubb – one of Trump’s favorites – during an interview with the Financial Times, arguing that Kiev is in the “best” position since the start of the war.
Rutte: «Putin increasingly desperate»
Stubb, despite fears of a possible nuclear escalation by Russia, argued that the Ukrainian campaign has changed the United States’ strategic vision of the war and strengthened Kiev’s negotiating position. The fact that Zelensky takes part in the dinner is a clear sign of this: Trump had almost ostracized him during the year spent in The Hague. Secretary General Mark Rutte, meeting the press, reiterated that Putin is increasingly “desperate”, bombing Ukrainian cities but not advancing to the front, heaping death upon death among his soldiers.
“For Russian families it is a tragedy but for Ukraine it is a success,” he noted. “It is therefore essential to continue to support her in the fight, to ensure that she receives everything she needs.” For example, by contributing to the Purl mechanism, with the purchase of indispensable weapons “made in the USA”.
The Defense forum and the 5% issue
On the military industry front, there is great anticipation in Ankara for the Defense forum, where agreements and contracts worth “tens of billions” are expected, with possible surprises for Ukraine and the granting of licenses by allied companies. One fact reigns supreme: the funds are increasing but the production capacity of the transatlantic ecosystem is now “capped” and there is only the risk of fueling inflation. It is therefore urgent to find solutions. Also because the US continues to flog the European donkey on military spending, they don’t want to see freeloaders wandering around the club rooms.
“I expect the capitals to present clear, concrete and credible plans to reach the 5% target established in The Hague,” warned Rutte. But then he pulled a sort of rabbit out of the hat: on average, Europe and Canada – he revealed – already spend 4%, if “core” defense and security are added.
Rebalancing NATO: «More just and more lethal»
The result is therefore one step away. That said, average isn’t enough. Also because it raises the issue of fairness between those who keep the agreements and those who don’t, reviving the debate on sharing the burden of aid to Ukraine. Washington has announced rewards for the virtuous and punishments for the recalcitrant, arousing the perplexity of many observers.
But isn’t Trump going to end up splitting NATO? Rutte is sure not. The United States “encourages”, it’s true, but that’s right. Europe’s dependence on defense had become “unhealthy” and rebalancing NATO will make it not only “fairer” but even “more lethal”. It is the slogan of the summit.