Now, former President Donald Trump would like to add his own one-note warning about what the Russkies are cooking up in Ukraine. He predicted that if Putin really does try to take all of Ukraine, it will result in the “ruin” of Russia. His comments come at a time when there is raising alarm about the escalation of military activities in the region, particularly toward Iran.
At a recent press conference, Trump expressed shock at the number of Ukrainian cities now being bombarded. He noted that he had personally tried to negotiate a ceasefire in the past. He further emphasized that the recent military maneuvers directly contradict any assertions that Putin is looking for peace. “Absolutely. He’s killing a lot of people. What the hell happened to him?” Trump remarked, highlighting the contrast between Putin’s stated desire for peace and the ongoing violence.
Looking forward, Trump signaled that he will be willing to impose additional sanctions on Russia. When he was asked if we could get it done, he answered with a resounding affirmative. Even now, he is waiting before imposing further sanctions today. This was even after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for an immediate ceasefire.
In his criticism of Zelenskyy, Trump took to Truth Social, stating that the Ukrainian leader is “doing his Country no favors by talking the way he does.” He went on to explain how the rhetoric that has been used by Zelenskyy might increase an already volatile situation. “Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop,” Trump asserted.
Trump proved to understand the large-scale humanitarian consequences of the ongoing conflict. He stated that Putin is “needlessly killing a lot of people, and I’m not just talking about soldiers.” This is a disturbing statement because it speaks to Trump’s complete disregard for the civilian toll of this unfathomable, ongoing war.
Zelenskyy continues to proclaim echoing calls for greater Western military support and sanctions on Russia. For every new Russian strike, he insists, there should be new punitive measures. “Every such terrorist Russian strike is reason enough for new sanctions against Russia,” Zelenskyy stated.
Looking ahead, Trump claimed that if elected president again, he could end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours, even before taking office. This is indeed a daring declaration, and while it certainly expresses his resolve to solve the crisis, doubters lament the practicality of making such a pledge.