Trump’s unpredictability overshadows NATO’s Hague summit, forcing allies to hike defense spending while confronting the Russian threat.
Stefan Wolff
Stefan Wolff
Stefan Wolff is a professor of international security at the University of Birmingham.
The return of Trump leaves Ukraine’s Zelensky vulnerable. The EU will have to walk the walk on Russia to prevent further aggression.
Trump’s 2025 return may intensify the war in Ukraine and tensions with Iran, while raising unpredictability in Asia’s alliances with China.
Putin’s ambitions for BRICS falter amid member disagreements. Expansion has stalled and its center of gravity may shift toward India and China.
Moldova votes on EU membership amid internal divisions, economic struggles, and an intense Russian disinformation campaign.
Ukraine’s Western allies hesitate to decisively increase military support, risking Pres. Volodymyr Zelensky’s victory plan against Russia.
Almost one-third of Ukrainians support territorial concessions for peace with Russia, while over half oppose such compromises.
The SCO faces major structural challenges to being a counterweight to NATO, but the West should not dismiss it as insignificant.
British and French positions on Ukraine have hardened as Russian offensive operations have continued unabated.
At best, the Ukraine aid package may help Kyiv improve its bargaining position if and once it and Moscow negotiate an end to the war.