Trump is taking Russia's side against Ukraine, former US general tells Euronews

The article describes several US decisions that reduce Ukraine’s ability to fight and defend its population. They include pressure to stop attacks on Russian diesel refineries, restrictions affecting Starlink, delays involving Patriot interceptors, and limits on intelligence support. Washington also waived new sanctions on Russia and called for Ukrainian elections and Zelenskyy’s replacement.

The mechanisms are practical and immediate. Starlink helps Ukrainian forces detect and intercept Shahed drones, while Patriot systems defend against certain Russian missile attacks. European countries fund some weapons, but deliveries still depend on US approval and available stockpiles. Restrictions therefore affect both Ukraine’s battlefield operations and its protection of cities.

The article says these steps may be intended to pressure Kyiv into accepting a settlement that leaves Russia holding seized territory. Hodges and Volker warn that weakened Ukrainian defences could encourage Moscow. They argue Europe must prepare for less American support and respond more firmly to Russia.

Starlink is a satellite communications system owned by Elon Musk but controlled by the United States, according to the article. Ukraine’s military uses the network as part of its air-defence operations. Its importance lies in maintaining the connection needed to detect and respond to incoming threats, especially when attacks are fast and widely dispersed.

The article gives a direct example involving jet-powered drones, often Iranian-origin Shahed drones. Ukrainian forces use Starlink to help intercept them. President Zelenskyy said access became restricted after speeds exceeded 161 km/h, meaning Ukrainian forces could no longer intercept these deadly drones as effectively. The article calls the consequences painful because lives have been lost.

This makes satellite access a battlefield resource, not merely an internet service. If the connection remains limited, Ukraine may struggle to protect infrastructure and civilians from drone attacks. The dispute also shows how dependent Ukrainian defence operations are on systems controlled outside the country.

Patriot air-defence interceptors are missiles designed to destroy incoming aerial threats before they reach their targets. In this article, they are described as especially important against certain Russian missile attacks. The source does not identify the precise missile types, but it makes clear that Patriot systems protect Ukraine from some of Russia’s most dangerous strikes.

The key mechanism is interception: a Patriot system detects an incoming missile and launches an interceptor against it. Ukraine needs these systems because Russia continues bombardments, while global Patriot shortages make replacement difficult. US stockpiles are also under pressure from military operations in Iran, according to the article.

European countries are paying for weapons through NATO’s PURL arrangement, yet deliveries can still require US approval. Zelenskyy said a missile package awaited Hegseth’s signature and that European transfers from their own stocks were also awaiting approval. Delays leave Ukraine’s air defences exposed.

European countries and Canada can fund weapons for Ukraine through NATO’s Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List, known as PURL. Under this arrangement, they purchase US-made weapons and interceptors for Kyiv. This lets European allies contribute financially and materially while using American defence equipment and supply channels.

The important mechanism is divided responsibility. European governments provide the money, but the United States controls the relevant stockpiles, production, and approval process. The article says European partners are awaiting permission to transfer Patriot interceptors from their own stocks. It also reports that shortages have complicated efforts to replenish Ukraine’s defences.

PURL deliveries were continuing, according to a NATO official, but the official declined to discuss Patriot shipments specifically. This means European funding can support Ukraine without guaranteeing immediate delivery. US military operations and limited Patriot supplies may continue to slow replenishment, leaving Europe dependent on Washington for key systems.

When Ukraine loses access to intelligence, satellite networks, or air-defence missiles, its battlefield position becomes more vulnerable. These tools help forces identify threats, coordinate responses, and protect cities and infrastructure. Without them, Ukraine has fewer ways to anticipate Russian attacks or prevent incoming weapons from reaching their targets.

The article gives two concrete examples. Starlink restrictions reportedly prevented Ukrainian forces from intercepting some Shahed drones. Patriot delays reduced access to systems used against certain Russian missile attacks. European countries may pay for equipment, but US approval and shortages can still hold up deliveries. The result is a gap between promised support and usable capability.

The immediate consequence is greater danger for Ukrainian troops and civilians. Hodges argues that restrictions on intelligence and defence systems are intended to pressure Kyiv into accepting Russia’s territorial gains. Volker and Hodges also warn that Moscow could become more aggressive if it believes Washington is supporting Russia.

Grey-zone or hybrid aggression means using several forms of pressure without relying solely on declared conventional war. It can combine cyberattacks, sabotage, disinformation, political interference, economic coercion, and covert operations. These methods seek to weaken an opponent while making responsibility, intent, or the threshold for military retaliation harder to establish.

The article links Russia to hybrid aggression in Europe, but the provided excerpt ends immediately after that warning. It does not identify particular European attacks or incidents. Therefore, the specific attacks being referenced cannot be stated from this source. The article does say that Hodges and Volker want European countries to respond more decisively.

Their concern is strategic. If Vladimir Putin concludes that Washington is aligned with Moscow, Russia could feel emboldened to intensify pressure. Europe is therefore urged to prepare for a future with less American support and to strengthen its response to Russian actions, including those described generally as hybrid aggression.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital waterway for global energy trade. The article says roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supplies normally passes through it. That scale makes the strait important far beyond the Middle East. Events affecting the route can influence the price and availability of fuel in distant countries.

The mechanism is straightforward. If conflict or disruption slows shipping through the strait, fewer oil cargoes can move through a major route. Buyers then compete for alternative supplies, while traders price in the risk of further delays. The article links such disruption to pressure on energy markets and says it added to rising fuel prices.

The article also says energy prices surged after US and Israeli attacks on Iran in February. Trump blamed Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries for rising diesel prices, but the article points to the Iran-related disruption as another major factor. Energy shocks can therefore complicate both war policy and household fuel costs.