Optimism
Nonetheless, some optimism stays contained in the British authorities concerning the Russia-Ukraine battle. Officers count on Ukraine to have the ability to export its full harvest subsequent yr after pushing again Russia’s fleet within the Black Sea, and argue the battle is severely straining Moscow’s economic system.
Whereas there’s frustration in Whitehall concerning the hold-up within the U.S. Congress, officers consider there’s nonetheless a very good likelihood a brand new monetary package deal will move. Even when it doesn’t, they argue, Ukraine has sufficient European assist to carry the road for a protracted whereas but.
Within the meantime, Britain is specializing in new sanctions and controls on Russian gasoline, metals and manufacturing. Cameron has urged allies to spice up protection manufacturing, and British authorities officers have been assembly on whether or not they can seize Russian state belongings to finance Ukraine’s reconstruction.
The larger query will likely be what occurs if Donald Trump is elected president. The Republican frontrunner’s remark this week — that he would “encourage” Russia to assault NATO member nations who don’t pay their approach — obtained a usually understated British pushback from Cameron, who stated the remarks had been “not wise.”
Even then, British hope hasn’t pale. Some in Whitehall consider in a world the place, a yr from now, Ukraine is doing a lot better and Trump — ever the entrepreneur — might be persuaded to again a winner.
Good luck, as they are saying, with that.