The Iran war has understandably been the focus of international attention.But Russia’s war against Ukraine continues to rage, and there are signs of a positive shift in the Trump administration’s approach to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Donald Trump had a positive meeting at the G7 summit in France, and afterward Trump said, "Russia needs to make a deal."Trump also said sanctions on Russian oil can go back on now that the Strait of Hormuz may soon see more ships traverse safely.Right before he left for France, Trump welcomed Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, the reigning heavyweight champion of the world, into the Oval Office ahead of the UFC fight on his birthday.Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Congress Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a "strategic disaster." Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the U.S.
will "find a way" to help Ukraine defend itself, and Ambassador Dan Negrea representing the United States told the United Nations that, "Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been a strategic disaster" and "Moscow cannot achieve its goals on the battlefield."The cause of this recent shift is likely twofold.First, Zelenskyy visited Gulf states during Operation Epic Fury to offer to help defend against Iranian Shahed drones, the same ones that Russia fires on Ukraine.
The boldness and timing of the visit were a compelling advertisement for what Ukraine can offer the United States and its allies in modern warfare against the China-Russia-North Korea-Iran alignment.'PURE HELL' IN MOSCOW AS UKRAINIAN DRONES STRIKE MAJOR REFINERY SUPPLYING CAPITAL'S FUEL MARKETUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gestures as U.S.President Donald Trump reacts during a meeting at the Oval Office of the White House, amid negotiations to end the Russian war in Ukraine, in Washington, D.C., Aug.
18, 2025.(REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)And second, Ukraine is making battlefield gains, holding off Russian advances, and even incrementally taking back territor...