The Guardian view on Russia’s strike on Kyiv: Putin is testing Trump’s will and Europe’s resolve | Editorial

WEdnesday Night has brought a dark return to the shape of Russia: one of the heaviest aerial raids on kyiv since the start of the large -scale invasion. Moscow withdrew his strikes on the big cities as the Alaska summit approaches, and he held his attack on the Ukrainian capital until Keith Kellogg, the American special envoy, ended his visit there. But in the hours following his departure, at least 18 people, several children, had died in an attack on a residential block, and the mission of the European Union had been seriously damaged.

Donald Trump periodically suggests that he traces a line for Vladimir Putin. However, whenever he seems to set a limit, the Russian president breaks. Kyiv’s attack shows that it is Mr. Putin who tests the American president. Trump threatened with “serious consequences” if Moscow did not immediately accept a cease-fire-but anchorage was quickly convinced by Mr. Putin that there was no need for a peace agreement.

“I think that in many ways, he is there,” Trump told journalists on Tuesday. But the diplomatic dropout of Russia, allowing it to continue to cringe on the battlefield, is transparent. The fatal strike on Kyiv civilians shows exactly what she thinks of peace discussions. As Mr. Trump also noticed: “Each conversation I have with [Mr Putin] is a good conversation. And then unfortunately, a bomb is loaded in kyiv or somewhere, then I get angry very on this subject. »»

The American president seems unable to draw the obvious conclusion, and his anger has not yet converted into action. He continues to blame Volodymyr Zelenskyy (“not exactly innocent either”) for the uninsured invasion of Russia. Trump again launched the idea of ​​sanctions, but only when he is in a hurry. Its only concrete move – double the price on most Indian products at 50% – was presented as punishment for Russian oil imports from New Delhi.

In fact, these imports were discreetly encouraged by Washington to stabilize the world markets, and European countries have bought oil from India once it has been refined. The real trigger was India’s refusal to remove agricultural protections, a problem for Mr. Trump’s basis. It was rebadged internal policy as a policy of Russia, and a headache for New Delhi, not for Moscow.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, accused Moscow of having targeted the EU in her strike on Wednesday evening. It is unlikely that it is worried about the White House. European leaders know that their ability to shape their world vision is restricted and intermittent. The result can only last until Mr. Trump’s next conversation, or the next overview of a talking head on Fox News.

They continue to make maximum efforts and compromises for limited yields. The United States would have ceased to share information on any potential agreement of Ukraine-Russia, even with members of the Anglophone Intelligence Community Five Eyes.

Since European governments are unlikely to be carried away by the reported will of the United States to contribute intelligence and air support to post-war force in Ukraine. It remains to be seen if the reinsurance force posed will materialize and, in the affirmative, in what form, remains to be seen. But in the absence of the ceasefire which should precede it, Europe must clearly indicate that it will not vacillate in its support for kyiv. By probing Mr. Trump’s intentions, Mr. Putin also investigated the determination of Europe. He cannot afford to fail this test.