US president says Russian counterpart ‘doing what anybody else would do’ as Ukraine faces escalating aerial attacks

Donald Trump has said Vladimir Putin was “doing what anybody would do” after Russia launched a massive missile and drone strike on Ukraine days after the US cut off vital intelligence and military aid to Kyiv.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Friday Trump said he finds it “easier” to work with Russia than Ukraine and that Putin “wants to end the war”.

“I’m finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine. And they don’t have the cards,” Trump said. “In terms of getting a final settlement, it may be easier dealing with Russia.”

Asked whether the Russian leader was taking advantage of the pause in US intelligence sharing and military aid to Ukraine, Trump replied: “I actually think he is doing what anybody else would do.”

  • NimdaQA@lemmy.world
    259·
    2 days ago
    1. The post-Maidan government conducted massacres in Eastern Ukraine against unarmed protestors like in Mariupol where the AFU alongside Azov fired into an entire crowd. Russia justified its annexation of Crimea because it made an agreement with the legitimate government of Ukraine before Maidan to continue their lease over Sevastapol. Russia stated that the formation of this illegimate government threatened military infrastructure in Crimea which they rightfully owned due to an agreement with the previous government. Russia also named the massacres that were being conducted in Eastern Ukraine to annex Crimea to safeguard the lives of people in Crimea.
    2. You mean a civil war broke out between the new illegitimate government and those in Eastern Ukraine who supported the legitimate government. Russia did provide support to them that is true I guess.
    3. Due to Ukraine’s violations of Minsk II.
    • Maldreamer@lemmy.worldEnglish
      131·
      2 days ago

      Source for 1? And regarding 3, Minsk II was violated by Putin himself when he choose to invade Ukraine in February 2022 saying Ukraine committed genocide in Donbas with no proof of the same.

      • NimdaQA@lemmy.world
        215·
        1 day ago

        I will PM you source for 1 since I do not really know the rules regarding posting NSFW content in the comments. Minsk II was already null and void by the time he invaded due to Ukraine violating it.