Kawashikan, Former Ambassador to Russia and Singapore
"Trump Will Do Something Dramatic," Warns
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has been analyzed to potentially cause Ukraine to be split into two, similar to South Korea and North Korea, if he returns to the White House.
According to CNBC on the 18th (local time), Vilahari Kausikan, former Singapore ambassador to Russia, warned during a speech at an event hosted by private bank VP Bank the previous day that if former President Trump is elected in the upcoming U.S. presidential election in November, there is a high possibility that he will do "something dramatic" regarding Ukraine, and that Ukraine could be divided like present-day South Korea and North Korea.
Kausikan, who previously served as a permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, did not specify what the "dramatic thing" might be, but explained that Trump's approach could be to enforce a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine. This diagnosis suggests that Ukraine could be divided just as South Korea and North Korea signed a ceasefire agreement but the war has not officially ended. He pointed out, "The scenario I am considering has already happened in Korea," adding, "Europe lacks the capability to contain Russia, and without U.S. support, it also lacks the capacity to effectively assist Ukraine."
Former President Trump has pressured European allies, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), to increase their defense spending. He has threatened that if allied countries do not raise their defense budgets to 3% of their gross domestic product (GDP), he will no longer protect them from Russian aggression. On the final day of the Republican National Convention, Trump declared in his acceptance speech as the presidential candidate, "I will end all the international crises caused by the current (Biden) administration," including "the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel war, which would not have happened if I were president."
As Trump, who is challenging a return to the White House, reaffirmed his stance on "ending wars quickly," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed reluctance. In an exclusive interview with BBC broadcast on the same day, Zelensky said, "He (former President Trump) really does not seem to understand what is happening in Ukraine," adding, "(Cooperating with Trump) would be difficult, but we are people who do not give up."
Zelensky continued, "We are grateful for what Ukraine has received so far," but lamented, "Even after 18 months, fighter jets have not yet arrived." This is an appeal emphasizing the urgent need for F-16 fighter jets promised by allied countries to counter Russia's air superiority. Zelensky is expected to speak on the situation in Ukraine and the need to strengthen Europe's defense industry base during a UK cabinet meeting speech on the morning of the 19th.
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