Russian/Ukrainian Naval Skirmish leads to Cancelled G-20 Meeting between Trump and Putin

With Russia firing upon and capturing 3 Ukrainian vessels in an event that was started by Russia’s illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula, tensions between the United States, and the Russian Federation have increased. This skirmish led to 6 Ukrainian sailors getting injured, and 24 sailors now being detained. The Ukrainian Government, along with many European politicians are now calling for sanctions against Russia for this event. Trump, along with others representing 20 nations at the G-20 Summit, were scheduled to meet in Buenos Aires, Argentina as part of the Group of 20 meeting. This international forum is meant for the governments of “the world’s major economies that seeks to develop global policies to address today’s most pressing challenges.” Essentially it consists of representatives of the world’s top economies, and allows them to share thoughts and strategies on how to manage financial issues on an international scale.

….in Argentina with President Vladimir Putin. I look forward to a meaningful Summit again as soon as this situation is resolved!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2018

US President Donald Trump cancelled his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin citing the seizure of the Ukrainian ships and crew. Sanctions against Russia is something that may come up at the event, with Russia present. However, with Ukraine’s pleas of deploying NATO warships at a standoff with Russia. Russia claims that sanctions, and shows of force will solve nothing, and will only worsen relations with any nation participating in the sanctions.

This event has led to Ukraine enacting and enforcing martial law. The Ukrainian Government has enacted martial law in some areas, in response to many demanding martial law temporary enforced should Russia bring about any further actions, as well as demanding all diplomatic ties with Russia be severed.

With Trump arriving at the Summit, the goal was also to speak with other world leaders that hold conflicting interests due to the United States Government’s. This includes Trump’s meeting with China’s president Xi Jinping over easing tensions of arising trade conflicts, as well as the possibility of meeting with the Saudi Arabian Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the first time since the murderer of Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Trump has announced to give the Saudi Prince a “Free pass”, referencing to his “America First” Policy, which cites as a possibly as a vital counterbalance with Iranian conflicts of interest in the Middle East.