Willing to Win?

Allies need to act decisively

(British MBDA Storm Shadow missiles at Farnborough [John Keeble/Getty Images])

As predicted in Monday’s essay, Trump’s plan to meet ‘Putin’ in Budapest has broken down. Moscow again rejected a ceasefire – as they have done since 2014. Despite Trump’s tactical retreat, he still aims to placate Moscow, as he has done all his life.

Three events now follow. Tomorrow the European Council will meet Zelenskyy in Brussels. In his address, Zelenskyy will focus on strengthened EU support, including financial aid and options for using immobilized Russian assets.

Then on Friday, October 24^th, the coalition of the willing will convene in London. We first wrote about this group in March, shortly after Trump re-entered office. It now includes over 30 European and other allies led by the UK and France, focused on security guarantees and military support. Zelenskyy will also attend. Their October 21^st statement with Ukraine calling for a ceasefire was rebuffed by Russia