Gift for Putin as fears grow that Trump is turning the screws on Ukraine

As concerns mount over President Trump potentially tightening the screws on Ukraine, a series of alarming developments have emerged. Just a week ago, a seemingly routine phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin seemed to revolve around a possible plague outbreak in Siberia, but instead, it led to a contentious agreement to purchase Russian diesel.

This prompted outrage from Ukrainians, who then demanded a new president from their own country. Fears grew across Europe that the US might limit military aid and intelligence for Ukraine, with Zelensky alleging that Kyiv was not given timely warnings about Russian ballistic missile attacks. Over the past 48 hours, this fear may be materializing.

On Wednesday, two separate incidents suggested the US is tightening its grip on Ukraine. Firstly, the Ukrainian military received delayed early warning messages about Russian missile strikes, resulting in the deaths of over 30 civilians. Secondly, Starlink space-based internet antennae, which assist Ukrainian drones in hitting targets and intercept Russian loitering drones, have faced significant speed limits imposed on them.

This could mean a reduction in a critical capability negotiated by Ukraine's former defense minister with Elon Musk. The slow-down, while not as severe as Musk halting Starlink in Russia, is still a significant blow to Ukraine's military operations. These events raise the possibility that Trump is tightening his hold on Ukraine, potentially causing increased civilian casualties and operational setbacks for the Ukrainian military.