US President Donald Trump said it is much easier to reach an agreement with Russia to stop the war in Eastern Europe than in Ukraine.
He made the comments from the Oval Office of the White House on Friday local time.
Trump said he trusts Russian President Vladimir Putin and that Putin is very interested in stopping the war.
Trump had a heated argument with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office a few days ago. Trump publicly blamed Zelensky for the war. This also led to the collapse of a mineral deal between them. In the context of this deterioration in relations between Ukraine and the United States, Trump softened his tone again towards Russia.
Trump warned Russia on Friday morning about stopping the war. He made it clear that the United States will not be soft on Russia until a peace agreement is reached with Ukraine. Trump said he is considering increasing sanctions and imposing tariffs on Russia.
A few hours after these comments, Trump praised Putin in front of reporters in the Oval Office. “I trust Putin,” he said. “To be honest, it’s hard for me to deal with Ukraine right now. Maybe it’s easier to deal with Russia.”
Eastern Europe has been at war for three years since Russia invaded Ukraine. Ukraine has stood by America from the start. But after Trump came to power, he advised Zelensky to end the war through diplomacy. Ukraine has once again refused to compromise with Russia. Trump has suspended military aid to Ukraine after Zelensky’s stubbornness. On Friday, while praising Putin, he said of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, “I think someone else could have done what Putin has done now. I’ve always had a very good relationship with Putin. He wants to stop the war. Good things are going to happen.”
Zelensky has sought security guarantees from the West instead of signing a ceasefire agreement with Russia. Trump said, “I don’t know if they want to resolve it. If they don’t, we’re not going to stand by them. Because I want it resolved. I am doing this to stop the death march.”
Source: BBC, Al-Jazeera.