Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder on the Resumption of US Arms Deliveries to Ukraine Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinemann-Grüder on the Resumption of US Arms Deliveries to Ukraine

In the interview, Professor Heinemann-Grüder examined the background to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's visit to Donald Trump in the Oval Office. During the meeting with Rutte, Trump threatened to impose punitive tariffs of 100 percent on Russia's allies China and India if they continue to support Russia. The US President also approved the purchase of US weapons systems by European countries and their delivery to Ukraine. According to Prof. Dr. Heinemann-Grüder, Trump's change of course regarding US involvement in the Ukraine war indicates that Trump aims to force Vladimir Putin to enter into peace negotiations. However, Trump's strategy does not represent a “fundamental change of course”, as the European states must continue to pay for the financing of Ukraine's war effort and more effective sanctions against Russia, in particular against Russian export companies, are being deliberately omitted by the US. Furthermore, the deadline of 50 days given by Trump to China and India until the punitive tariffs are activated can be interpreted as a sign of concession to Putin, according to Professor Heinemann-Grüder. The deadline gives Putin enough time to further escalate Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. For the political scientist, however, “the decisive factor is how India and China transfer the pressure from Trump to Putin”. India in particular could persuade Russia to enter into peace negotiations by replacing its current oil imports from Russia with imports from Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and other OPEC member states, which would significantly weaken Russia's economy.