US President Joe Biden has been actively working to strengthen Ukraine's position in the war against Russia in the last months of his administration. These steps include a number of decisions aimed at ensuring further support for Kyiv in confronting Moscow's aggression. In particular, the Biden administration has allowed Ukraine to strike Russian territory, imposed new sanctions against Russian financial institutions, and agreed to write off part of its debt. This, according to experts, is an attempt to strengthen Ukraine's position before Donald Trump's possible coming to power in 2025.
According to the publication, in recent days Joe Biden has been trying to strengthen Ukraine's position against Russia before Donald Trump returns to the White House, as the president-elect has promised to immediately end the war started by Vladimir Putin almost three years ago. This probably means a negotiated settlement, and Biden is trying to strengthen aid to Ukraine.
The publication notes that the Biden administration recently granted Ukraine permission to strike at Russian territory, which Moscow and the Trump camp viewed as an escalation.
In addition, this week the White House approved the transfer of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, forgave nearly $5 billion in debt, and imposed sanctions on a major Russian bank that makes payments for natural gas sales.
These steps, among others still under consideration, are part of Biden’s plan to do as much as possible to strengthen Ukraine before Trump takes office. The strategy is intended to help Zelensky by showing that Ukraine has the potential to retaliate against Russia if it continues the fighting
It is noted that this does not mean that Biden's latest moves will be completely undesirable for Trump, who could use a stronger Ukraine as a bargaining chip for a settlement that he could frame as a victory.
“Some of the decisions Biden is making now could help Trump, potentially by putting Trump in a stronger position to end the war, with Ukraine in a stronger position for any negotiations,” said Shelby Magid, deputy director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasian Center.
