DONALD TRUMP IN FRESH AVATAR

Ever since he has taken over, President Donald Trump appears in terrible hurry to take decisions internally, regionally and externally. He wishes to outshine his predecessors. However, thus far, he is mostly talking money, probably drawing strength and inspiration from his real estate days. But signs of superiority and offence cannot possibly be hidden.

He has signed innumerable Executive orders. Many have been challenged in the courts as potentially unconstitutional.

One of the principal functions of newly created DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) headed by Elon Musk, is making sure that Executive orders of President are actually carried out. No one is bothered whether these may cause discomfort.

Slashing of Manpower & Aid

When Trump was finalising his manifesto, he had aspired to cut unnecessary expenditure. He desired Musk to be more aggressive in slashing federal spending and sharply reduce workforce. He ordered that all U.S. federal employees must justify their work or lose their jobs. AFGE, the largest federal employees union has, however, vowed to challenge any unlawful termination. According to them, it is cruel and disrespectful to thousands of veterans.

Deadline given to employees to justify their jobs has already led to fissures. While Drug Enforcement Administration and Federal Communication Commission have told employees to comply, crucial Departments of Defence , Homeland Security, Education and Commerce have told workers NOT to respond. Demonstrations against Musk have gathered more teeth at least in nine places. So it’s going to be undesirable rough ride.

In a development on 24th February, employees have been given a second chance to justify their jobs. Radical downsizing may lead to ‘Lay Off’ of over twenty thousand workers. More than twenty Civil Service employees have already resigned from DOGE. More than 90% of staff of U.S.AID in U.S. and outside are going to be eliminated. Also 60 billion dollars cut in assistance around the world has been announced.

Differences with Judiciary

These too are surfacing as judges have begun blocking Executive orders. Five federal judges have ruled against Trump’s orders.

While Vice President J.D. Vance feels “Judges are not allowed to control the executive’s legitimate powers”, Elon Musk has, rather, harshly called for judges to be impeached.

Negative and Offending Initiatives

Beginning with Canada, Trump has threatened to make it 51st State of U.S.A. Gulf of Mexico has already become Gulf of America and another important water body Panama Canal is very much in news. J.R. Mulino, President of Panama has rejected U.S. claims of Chinese influence on Canal. He has also vehemently denied giving operations to China. He has insisted that the canal was being operated by the Government of Panama.

Gaza Strip Issues

As regards Gaza Strip, Trump has warned on 10th February that all hell would break loose if every Israeli hostages are not released from Gaza within days after HAMAS threatened to postpone further exchanges under a fragile Ceasefire deal ,it said Israel was violating.

Trump has further said he could conceivably halt aid to U.S. allies Jordan and Egypt if they refuse to take in Palestinians under his controversial Gaza Plan.

Trump, in the meanwhile, met King Abdullah II of Jordan in Washington some time ago. Jordon’s king has stated that Arab nations have planned to counter propose Trump’s Gaza Plan. Though his country did not have pleasant experience with the stay of Palestinians earlier, they were willing to take about three thousand of them purely on humanitarian considerations.

In the latest development, on the eve of second phase of exchange of hostages and prisoners, Israel has decided not to withdraw its troops from Gaza Strip. Further it has stopped entry of all goods and supplies into Gaza and warned of additional consequences if Hamas doesn’t accept a new proposal to extend a fragile Ceasefire. Egypt has accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon.
Trump’s Proposed Talk with President Vladimir Putin
Whole world is looking forward to this talk.

Subsequent to their long telephonic conversation in February, news is very much in air about a possible formal meeting between the two. The Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia has indicated that preparations are going on for Putin-Trump talks on global issues, not just Ukraine war. U.S. officials have also indicated that they had agreed with Moscow to re-establish diplomatic ties and resume economic cooperation.

According to an expert of international crisis group, in view of Trump’s growing disenchantment with Zelensky, he and Putin are likely to ‘cook up’ a fresh deal concerning Ukraine.

Vassily Nebenzya, Russia’s UN envoy makes it more obvious by saying “We acknowledge the constructive changes in the U.S. position when it comes to the Ukrainian conflict”. In a fresh development, Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister has praised President Trump’s common sense approach to end the war with Ukraine. At the same time, he has accused European Heads who have rallied around Kyiv of seeking to prolong the conflict.

Talks With President Volodymyr Zelensky

President Trump appears favouring a proposal to halt fighting between Russia and Ukraine. While he is pressing for a swift end to conflict, Zelensky is calling for tough security guarantees from Washington. This much is sure that Zelensky was eager to meet Trump before latter’s meeting with Putin.

Prior to his meeting with Zelensky on 28th February, Trump met Keir Starmer, British P.M. Latter indicated that he was doing all he could to find a path forward to a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine. It could be called significant as Starmer was to host a summit of European Heads of State on 2nd March to discuss an end to the war in question.

Oval Office Talks

On 28th February, Zelensky was welcomed cordially but element of cordiality turned out to be a short affair. It ended soon in a shouting match, that too in front of U.S.Vice President and media in oval office. Trump told Zelensky to be more thankful to U.S. aid. He also accused him of “gambling” with World War III.

Bitter clash took place at oval office and meeting resulted in a disaster.

It ended abruptly with a planned joint press conference cancelled and a minerals deal positioned as a step toward peace, remaining unsigned.

Zelensky wanted U.S. not to be soft on Russia policy, followed during Joe Biden’s time. Same had to be followed in his opinion, as 20 % of Ukraine is in occupation of Russia.
His contention was that no one stopped Putin in 2014 and 2015 when he was in attacking mode. Trump reacted immediately by informing his counterpart that his country had signed deal for Ceasefire, exchange of prisoners and gas.

When Vance told Zelensky that President Trump was trying to save your country, pat came reply from Zelensky-“We have been alone from beginning”. Trump replied that you are not alone now as you have got our help. If you agree for Ceasefire, killing of people will stop. Alone you don’t have cards. With us you have the cards.

Trump later posted on social media that Zelensky “can come back when he is ready for peace”. He further has claimed that he has spoken to Putin on numerous occasions, more than publicly reported.

All said and done, the interaction between American and Ukraine Presidents and J.D.Vance in front of media was unbelievable. Never before two heads of State have talked like this. Undiplomatic showdown between Trump and Zelensky goes on to prove that diplomacy is no longer a subject to be practiced by gentlemen.

Trump might have won but Zelensky did not lose either. At this stage can we say ?

Zelensky not only wants war to go on but also wants unconditional U.S. money for that. Trump on the other hand has declared that “we are spending our treasure on a country that’s far, far away”.

Reaction From Europe

On the 3rd anniversary of Russian invasion on 24th February, President of European Union and one dozen leaders of Europe visited Ukraine’s capital to express their solidarity with Ukraine. European Heads of State were in shock with developments in Washington and came out in explicit support of Zelensky. German President Walter Steinmeier while criticising Trump in unusually sharp terms has stated that the scene took his breath away. He added that diplomacy fails when negotiating partners are humiliated in front of whole world.

Efforts By British P.M.

A statement from 10, Downing Street has confirmed that British P.M. had spoken to both the Presidents, Trump and Zelensky on phone after their failed talks and that he retained his unwavering support for Ukraine.

Zelensky has stated that there can be no cease fire without security guarantees, but at the same time, Ukraine cannot change its position on Russia.

He had a hastened meeting with British P.M. Starmer while much of Europe, including Germany and France rushed to support Zelensky. They have offered individual messages of support. Further, E.U. Chief Ursula von der Leyen has told Zelensky to be strong, brave and fearless. French President Emmanuel Macron has also rebuked Trump’s accusation that Zelensky was gambling with World War III. If anyone is gambling, his name is Vladimir Putin.

Upcoming meeting in London on 2nd March will include leaders from 14 countries including Great Britain, Germany, France, NATO Secretary General and E.U. officials.

It is being observed that relations between Trump and Zelensky have deteriorated lately. Trump, according to Zelensky believes that Ukraine was to be blamed for the war. On the other hand, Trump has called Zelensky ” a modestly successful comedian who talked the U.S. into spending 350 Billion Dollars to go into war that could not be won.” He has been also called highly unpopular and a dictator.

There is also a report about recent policy shift by President Trump vis a vis Russia. According to a top Diplomat of European Union, Trump was taking a pro-Russian position. Also USA has sided with Russia twice at the UNO as they sought to avoid any condemnation of Russian invasion. Two votes signify a seismic shift in the balance of power at the U.N. France and Britain could have vetoed the resolution which does not blame Russia.

In a latest turn of events, top U.S. officials have suggested that Zelensky might have to step down if a peace deal is to be reached. Mike Waltz, National Security Adviser has stated that “We need a leader that can deal with the Russians and end the war.”

Situation between Russia and Ukraine is at a crossroads in history. There is a need to act, act swiftly for the sake of thousands of people who have died or received injuries.

(Alok K.Shrivastava is the former Chief Secretary of Sikkim)