Trump and Putin Discuss Ukraine at G20 Summit

During their first face-to-face meeting at the G20 summit in Hamburg on July 7, 2017, Donald Trump inquired about military assistance to Ukraine, asking Vladimir Putin for his opinion on supplying weapons. Putin warned Trump that such a move would be a 'mistake' and suggested that Ukraine would only demand more support, a sentiment Trump did not contest. This conversation was part of a broader pattern where Putin influenced Trump's views on Ukraine, notably during their initial phone call on January 28, 2017, where Trump acknowledged the conflict was complicating US-Russia relations. Reports indicate that Trump's perspective on Ukraine was shaped by his preconceived notions, which Putin exploited to weaken US support for Kyiv. Although Trump later authorized the sale of Javelin missiles to Ukraine, his relationship with Putin and suspicion of Ukraine persisted, affecting US policy towards the region. As Trump campaigns for reelection, concerns arise regarding his potential stance on military aid to Ukraine amid ongoing Russian aggression.