American President Donald Trump, on Friday, said it’s “easier” to bargain with Russia to bring the on-going war to an end rather than with Ukraine, noting also that he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Addressing the White House on a televised news conference, Trump said he trusts Putin on whether the war shall come to an end. “I believe him,” he replied, ascertaining that Putin is trusted.
Trump also noted that dealing with Ukraine has been more challenging, despite the country’s struggle against Russian aggression for the past three years. “I’m finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine, and they don’t have the cards,” he remarked. “It may be easier dealing with Russia.”
The American president has also recently ratcheted up pressure on Ukraine by suspending military and intelligence assistance, seeking to pressure Kyiv into negotiations. But while stating possible new sanctions against Russia earlier on Friday, Trump seemed to legitimize Moscow’s recent wave of mass bombings throughout Ukraine.
“I really believe he’s doing what anyone in that situation would be doing at this moment,” Trump said, alluding to Putin’s military activities. He went on to assert that Putin wants to end the war and could be “more generous than he has to be,” and that this could result in positive developments.
Trump also threatened Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with not negotiating, saying that further resistance would lead to the withdrawal of US support. “If they don’t want to make a deal, we’re out of there because we want them to make a deal,” he said. “I’m doing it to prevent death.”
Trump’s comments are likely to alarm US allies, especially those backing Ukraine’s resistance to Russia’s invasion.
