In a bold and unexpected statement, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Friday that negotiating with Russia over Ukraine’s war is “easier” than working with Kyiv—adding that he trusts Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Speaking at a televised press conference from the White House, Trump acknowledged that he believes Putin “wants to end the war” and might even be “more generous than he has to be.” Meanwhile, he expressed frustration with Ukraine, stating, “I’m finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine… they don’t have the cards. It may be easier dealing with Russia.”
Trump’s comments come as Ukraine continues to fight off Russian aggression after three years of brutal war. His administration has reportedly placed a pause on U.S. military and intelligence aid to Kyiv, applying pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Despite threatening new sanctions against Moscow earlier in the day, Trump appeared to justify Russia’s latest wave of airstrikes on Ukraine, saying, “I actually think he’s doing what anybody in that position would be doing right now.”
Trump also hinted at potentially pulling U.S. support for Ukraine altogether if Zelensky does not move toward a settlement. “I don’t know that they want to settle. If they don’t want to settle, we’re out of there because we want them to settle. I’m doing it to stop death,” he stated.
His remarks have already sparked fierce reactions from global leaders and analysts, many of whom see them as a concerning shift in U.S. foreign policy priorities.
