EU and US Caught in Sanctions and Arms Supply Whirlwind: Ukraine War on the Brink
EU Foreign Ministers Meet: Sanctions on Russia and Middle East Situation in Focus Today in Brussels, the foreign ministers of the European Union are meeting to discuss the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. The decision on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia has not yet been made, as Slovakia, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, refuses to support the proposal due to concerns about gas imports. The planned international price cap on Russian oil exports is set at $45 per barrel but has not received unanimous support even within the G7.
Donald Trump: New War Player or Just Another Showman? US President Donald Trump announced a new delivery of weapons to Ukraine, including Patriot missile systems that Ukraine has long requested. Trump threatened sanctions on buyers of Russian oil if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire within 50 days. In an interview with the BBC, Trump expressed disappointment with Vladimir Putin but emphasized he is not done with him. He also praised NATO, which he previously called obsolete, and confirmed commitment to collective defense.
Russian Drones and Ukrainian Defense: Battle in the Air Russian forces overnight destroyed 55 Ukrainian drones over five Russian regions, including Lipetsk and Voronezh. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 40 of 60 drones launched by Russia between July 12 and 13. The attacks were mainly targeted near the front line, including Donetsk, Sumy, and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
Putin’s Offensive and US Military Aid According to sources, Putin plans to intensify the offensive in Ukraine over the next two months, aiming to capture the administrative borders of Ukrainian regions under Russian control. Trump, after a long period of refusal, announced the delivery of sophisticated military equipment to Ukraine, including Patriot systems. The US Senate is considering tightening sanctions on Russia, including secondary tariffs on imports of Russian oil, gas, and uranium, which could be imposed if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire within 50 days.
Geopolitical Maneuvers: Lavrov and Chinese Ally Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov spoke with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi about Ukraine and relations with the US. China, Russia’s main ally, has not condemned the Russian invasion but calls for a ceasefire and accuses the West of fueling the conflict by arming Ukraine. The meeting took place ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, which includes ten countries, including Russia, China, Iran, India, and Pakistan.
War in a Dead End? Former Ukrainian commander Valeriy Zaluzhnyi stated that the war is in a dead end, as the massive use of drones makes movement on the battlefield deadly. Ukraine and Russia depend on the production and destruction of drones, while Ukrainians target Russian refineries and factories inside Russia. Despite numerical superiority, Russia has failed to break through Ukrainian defenses, complicating the situation further.
Conclusion: The World on the Brink of a New Conflict As the EU and US try to coordinate sanctions and military aid, the war in Ukraine intensifies. Sanctions on Russia are slow and fragmented, while Russia continues drone attacks and offensives. Trump’s announcement of tougher measures and arms deliveries to Ukraine could be a turning point but also a reason for escalation. The China-Russia alliance and diplomatic maneuvers further complicate the situation.
If you thought this was the end of the drama, wait and see what happens next! What do you think – will sanctions finally break Putin or will the war drag on? Drop a comment and let’s see who’s on whose side in this crazy power game!
