On July 15, the Veza Center for Civic Analysis held a discussion with political consultant and Ukrainian Armed Forces serviceman Oleksandr Antonyuk regarding Donald Trump’s sensational statement about providing Ukraine with 17 Patriot systems—with some expected to arrive in the coming days. The announcement was met with skepticism in Germany. Trump also presented Putin with a 50-day ultimatum to stop the war, after which he pledged to impose sanctions on Russia and countries cooperating with its energy sector.
Antonyuk emphasized that Trump’s rhetorical shift is both predictable and linked to the former US president’s personal perception of global affairs. He noted that Ukraine now has a valuable "window of opportunity" to strengthen cooperation with Western partners, not only over the next 50 days but also through long-term strategic initiatives such as a renewed lend-lease program.
The conversation also touched on the risk of a protracted war, highlighting China’s ongoing political support for Russia (with Xi Jinping reaffirming support during talks with Lavrov and sharply criticizing Trump’s latest sanctions initiative) and the growing security threats to the Baltic states and Poland amidst Russia’s tactical changes.
The discussion included humanitarian and economic issues inside Russia, the mobilization of human resources, and the resistance among various political factions within the country. Concerns about possible provocations on NATO territory remain relevant. The experts stressed the importance of continued Western support for Ukraine, development of defense technologies, and the necessity of symmetrical responses to Russian attacks.
In conclusion, the panel noted that while the hot phase of the war may temporarily abate, a prolonged conflict remains likely unless there are broader changes in Russian and global politics. Western unity and Ukraine’s adaptability were identified as key factors in shaping the country’s future resilience and success.
