Professor Robert Patman of the University of Otago argues that the Trump administration is moving closer to Moscow by lifting sanctions, agreeing a diesel export deal, and sidelining Ukraine and Europe from peace talks. He says this reflects a long-standing pro-Putin stance, citing Trump's refusal to criticise the Russian leader and a “land for peace” proposal that would reward an aggressor. Patman contends the US has effectively stopped directly funding Ukraine's defence while Europe pays, and warns that rewarding the invasion sets a dangerous precedent for China and Taiwan. He also links the shift to domestic politics, suggesting Trump is using Ukraine as a scapegoat for rising petrol prices linked to the Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz tensions ahead of midterm elections.
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Related tickers and likely impact
SPY
• NeutralSPDR S&P 500 ETF
Relevance: low
| Market | US stocks |
|---|---|
| Sector | ETF |
| Close on 10/21/2026 | 773.09 |
| Change that session | +0.53% |
XAU/USD
• NeutralRelevance: low
| Market | Gold |
|---|---|
| Close on 10/21/2026 | 4,141.17 |
| Change that session | +0.39% |
Impact is scored by AI from the headline and may be wrong. It is not investment advice.
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