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Ever since Mr Putin made the decision to annex the Crimea region in 2014, the US has waded in making the region a key battleground for political influence as NATO allies aim to defy Russia’s encroachment on Western territory in Eastern Europe. Military support and aid from the White House has played an important role in Ukraine’s efforts to defy Russian dominance, but after Mr Trump’s brief withdrawal of aid amid his controversial request made to Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden, Russia have seized control.

In October, President in Kiev Volodomyr Zelensky agreed a deal that formed a mechanism for elections in areas contested by the Separatists in the region, sparking outrage by some in Ukraine as it was perceived as a defeat to Russia. But, as Kyle Ropp argues in his article for National Interest, the aid afforded to Ukraine by Mr Trump could actually be a counter-productive effort by the US, as it may only encourage further conflict with Russia rather than peace.

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Trump news: conflict in Crimea began after Russian annexation in 2014

Mr Ropp says that weapons aid, in the form of javelin missile launchers and 50 caliber snipers have been largely useless in battling Russian military because combat tanks are used scarcely by Moscow’s forces and heavy-duty weaponry doesn’t allow for more mobile combat. The aid given by Washington also fails to consider Russia’s primary international objective - defy NATO. Mr Ropp highlights that Russian President Putin has made Ukraine a “red line” for NATO encroachment as the two sides battle for territorial and political dominance in Eastern Europe. READ MORE: Donald Trump has made US an 'untrustworthy' ally says Nato insider

Trump news: a deal has now been reached for elections in the region

The Kremlin’s disruptive foreign actions in countries like the Ukraine, as well as multiple Balkan States, has destabilised their political environments, making their desired integration into the EU and NATO a lot harder. Furthermore, Mr Ropp also highlights thats US challenges in the region justify Mr Putin’s tough stance to his domestic supporters. The Russian President’s approval ratings soared in the aftermath of 2014’s annexation as it galvanised Russian nationalist beliefs. With both sides reluctant to escalate the situation to nuclear war threats, the standoff seems to be going in one direction. DON'T MISS:

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