ATACMS, Putin and Trump – WSJ

The officials say the arrival of 10,000 North Korean troops in Russia changed Mr. Biden s mind. The North Koreans will be used as cannon fodder to oust Ukrainian forces from Russia s Kursk region. Ukraine has been relying on drones and its own missiles to hit positions inside Russia, but the U.S. ATACMS will let Ukraine hit targets deeper in the country that have been a sanctuary.

Left unsaid by the White House is that Mr. Biden is trying to strengthen Ukraine s position before he leaves office. Mr. Biden would like to fortify Ukraine by delivering all of the munitions Congress approved in its most recent aid package. The tragedy is that Mr. Biden has hamstrung Ukraine on the delivery and use of advanced weapons for so long.

Donald Trump says he will try to end the war soon, though how he will do that is far from certain. But the ATACMS decision and military aid could help promote a settlement if it puts Ukraine in a stronger negotiating position.

The Trump camp leaked that, in a recent phone call, the former and future President had asked Vladimir Putin not to escalate in Ukraine. Mr. Putin s blunt reply to that request is the North Korean troop deployment and the weekend missile barrage. The attempt to destroy Ukraine s energy supply is especially cruel as winter nears. The Kremlin dictator also wants Ukrainian troops out of Russia to strengthen his position and not have to trade his control of portions of eastern Ukraine.

Mr. Putin is telling Mr. Trump that his settlement terms will be harsh. Mr. Trump will have to calculate his policy accordingly.

via www.wsj.com