There is a shift in attitude toward Russia’s war against Ukraine within U.S. political circles. Following large-scale strikes by Ukrainian forces on targets in Moscow, two key assessments are increasingly being voiced in Washington: Russia cannot be trusted, and Ukraine is demonstrating signs of strength rather than defeat in the war. This is discussed in an article at in The Economist, as reported by Dengi.ua .
The publication notes that the attack by Ukrainian drones on an oil refinery in Moscow on June 18 drew significant attention from American politicians and military officials. According to journalists, this operation served as yet another confirmation of the Ukrainian army’s capabilities amid a protracted conflict.
Earlier, U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll stated that the level of integration of the Ukrainian armed forces on the battlefield surpasses that of the U.S. Army. Later, Pentagon Chief Pete Hegset noted that the United States had gained valuable experience by studying Ukrainian operations involving drones.
According to sources close to the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump’s perception of the conflict is also changing. The publication’s sources believe that the war in Ukraine has become more personal to him and easier for him to understand in terms of its human consequences.
“Trump has learned his lesson from the experience with Iran and now understands that without putting pressure on Putin, he won’t get what he wants,” said a former Ukrainian official.
According to The Economist, informal contacts with the Russian side resumed following the G7 summit, which took place June 15–17 in Evian-les-Bains, France. Daily consultations are also continuing between the Ukrainian and American negotiating teams on the issue of a possible two-stage ceasefire.
On June 18, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Trump was initially convinced that Ukraine would be defeated in the war with Russia, but later revised his position after seeing the resilience of Ukrainian society and the country’s ability to continue resisting.
Trump himself also acknowledged that Ukraine is “holding up quite well” in its confrontation with Russia, despite Moscow’s significant superiority in military resources.
According to the publication’s assessment, Ukraine’s cumulative military successes, the development of modern technologies on the battlefield, and the country’s continued ability to resist aggression are gradually influencing sentiment in Washington and shaping a new perception of the war among American politicians.
