Tuesday Briefing: Trump’s Lack of Action is Putting Ukrainian Civilians in Greater Danger
Hey everyone, hope you’re well. So, here’s the situation: On Sunday, Russia hit the Ukrainian city of Sumy with a missile, supposedly targeting military leaders. But the reality? The attack killed at least 34 people, mostly civilians, making it the deadliest attack on non-soldiers this year.
While President Trump didn’t say much, calling it a “mistake,” it’s clear he’s more focused on his global tariff mess than the horrors unfolding in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy even invited Trump to visit the country, but don’t hold your breath for him to take up the offer.
I caught up with Luke Harding, a foreign correspondent for The Guardian in Kyiv, to talk about what’s going on in Ukraine and how Trump’s inaction is making things worse. Let’s break it down.
Five Key Stories Today:
1.British Steel – Labour leaders are pushing the UK government to take a closer look at Chinese investments, especially after the British Steel situation turned ugly.
2.Sudan Crisis- Sudan is in the midst of the largest humanitarian crisis, with civilians bearing the brunt as the civil war enters its third year. A peace conference is being held in London today.
3.Gambling Scandal – Former Conservative MP Craig Williams and 14 others have been charged over allegations of cheating related to the 2024 UK general election.
4.Bin Strikes in Birmingham – Birmingham’s trash workers have rejected a deal that would’ve ended the strike. The city’s been dealing with heaps of rubbish and rats all over.
5.Space Trip – Six women, including pop star Katy Perry, completed a space trip with Jeff Bezos’s rocket, and Perry couldn’t stop talking about feeling “divinely feminine” after landing.
In-Depth: Trump’s Passive Approach and Its Impact on Ukraine
The missile strike on Sumy hit at about 10:15 a.m. on Sunday. People were just going about their day, celebrating Palm Sunday or waiting for a theater performance when it happened. A crowded bus was struck, and at least 34 people died, including two children.
What made this so horrifying? Well, Russia claimed it targeted a meeting of Ukrainian military leaders, but eyewitness accounts and videos show the attack mostly hit civilians. “These were regular people doing regular things on a Sunday,” said Luke Harding. “It’s like targeting a British high street.”
The second missile hit as emergency workers were trying to help the victims of the first strike. Ukrainian officials say the second missile had cluster bombs, which spread explosions over a wide area and are known to cause devastating civilian casualties. These kinds of bombs are banned by most countries, but Russia’s been using them heavily.
Sumy, being so close to the Russian border, is especially vulnerable to this kind of attack. “You don’t get warning, you just have to hope you’re not in the blast zone,” Luke explained. It’s a horrific gamble for the people there.
Is This Part of a Bigger Trend?
Just last week, another Russian missile hit President Zelenskyy’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih, killing 19 people, including nine kids. Russia claimed it targeted a military meeting, but the bomb exploded near a playground. Civilians are paying the price as these attacks on cities keep increasing.
The UN has reported a sharp rise in civilian casualties, with 164 dead and over 900 injured in just one month. The use of kamikaze drones, which target hospitals, adds to the horror. It’s a disturbing pattern that shows no sign of stopping.
Why Is Russia Doing This?
The idea seems to be to break Ukrainians’ spirits. By constantly attacking civilians, Russia wants people to feel like the war’s not worth fighting. “They want Ukrainians to turn against their government and beg for peace,” Luke said. The majority of Ukrainians still don’t want to give up any land or political independence, though. It’s clear that Russia won’t stop until they get what they want, and that’s terrifying.
How Has the U.S. Responded?
Trump seems pretty distracted by his tariff war, so don’t expect much action from him. After the Kryvyi Rih attack, U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink condemned the strike, but it wasn’t until the Sumy attack that the U.S. made a stronger statement. Trump, however, didn’t say much except that it was a “mistake.” This indifference is giving Russia more confidence to act without fear of U.S. retaliation.
In fact, Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Putin again, and rumors are swirling that Trump may be willing to give Russia parts of Ukraine in exchange for a peace deal. “It seems like the U.S. either wants Russia to win or just doesn’t care if Ukraine loses,” Luke summed up.
Some people still hope that Trump’s patience with Russia will run out, but so far, there’s no sign of that happening. What was once a hope to persuade him to act against Moscow seems like it was just a pipe dream.
Increased Threats: How Trump’s Moves Have Made Ukrainian Civilians Vulnerable
