Trump's Ukraine play could free up Russia to invade other countries

Stopping aid to Ukraine at a time when Russia's military spending and production is so high could result in a dangerous situation for the West.

Transcript

00:00Trump on Monday ordered the pause of all U.S. military aid to Ukraine.

00:03This is while Russia's defense industry is rapidly rearming,

00:06providing Russia's military with the kinds of drones and bombs

00:09that it has found particularly useful in its defenses against Ukraine.

00:12Those are the kind of weapons that Russia could turn against Europe

00:14if Ukraine should fall and Russia is given a reprieve.

00:17Many countries in Europe are warning that Russia could attack

00:19elsewhere in the continent next if it's done in Ukraine.

00:22And while Europe's defense spending has soared,

00:24it hasn't quite made the same leaps that Russia's has.

00:26Russia's defense spending in 2024,

00:28in terms of its purchasing power parity, outperformed that of Europe.

00:31Many countries in Europe actually see Ukraine's fight against Russia

00:34as one that is holding back Russia from the rest of Europe.

00:37And that's part of why some of them are so keen to give Ukraine so much support.

00:41The fear is that without Ukraine, Russia's stockpiles of military,

00:44which are currently suffering, would grow, be freed up

00:46and be ready to use against Europe.

00:48But Ukraine might not be able to continue its fight if it loses out on crucial aid.

00:52Trump is also pushing for a negotiated ceasefire,

00:54but he doesn't appear to be seeking one that has security guarantees

00:57that could stop Russia from pursuing further aggression.

01:00Some in Europe are actually proposing their own path to a truce

01:02between Ukraine and Russia.

01:04Plus, Trump doesn't seem that keen to have Europe at the negotiating table.

01:07That's why many say this is precisely the wrong moment

01:10to take the foot off the gas and stop supporting Ukraine.