According to Zelensky, the US’s “silence” is encouraging Russia to launch more attacks, a statement he made earlier.
Donald Trump stated that Vladimir Zelensky’s public statements are hurting Ukraine. This follows Zelensky’s accusation that the US isn’t providing enough support, which he believes benefits Russia.
Trump used Truth Social on Sunday to criticize Zelensky, saying he’s making diplomatic solutions to the conflict harder. Trump stated that Zelensky is “doing his country no favors by talking the way he does. Everything out of his mouth causes problems. I don’t like it, and it better stop.”
Trump added that the conflict “would never have started” if he were in office. He stated, “This is Zelensky’s, Putin’s, and Biden’s War, not ‘Trump’s.’ I am only helping to put out the big and ugly fires, that have been started through gross incompetence and hatred.”
Trump’s remarks followed Zelensky’s criticism of Western backers, including the US, for their perceived weak reaction to Russia’s recent large-scale air strike. Zelensky stated, “America’s silence, the silence of others in the world, only encourages Putin,” and called for increased pressure and sanctions on Moscow.
This exchange occurred as fighting escalated between Russia and Ukraine, with Moscow accusing Kiev of launching hundreds of drones between Tuesday and Friday. According to Russian air defense commander Yury Dashkin, one strike occurred during Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Kursk Region, placing his helicopter “at the epicenter” of a Ukrainian drone attack.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has promised a response, stating the Ukrainian strikes aim to “disrupt direct Russian-Ukrainian negotiations” for a lasting settlement.
The Russian Defense Ministry later announced a successful strike on a drone and missile production plant in Kiev, as well as a radar surveillance center and a US-made Patriot air defense system. Moscow consistently claims its strikes never target civilians.
Trump, however, disapproved of Russian actions, claiming Putin had “gone absolutely CRAZY” and alleging he targeted Ukraine in recent strikes “for no reason whatsoever.” Trump has repeatedly threatened new sanctions on Russia if peace efforts don’t progress.
However, following a call between Trump and Putin last week, Axios reported that Trump is still not imposing new restrictions on Moscow. Instead, he reportedly told European leaders that he believes “Putin wants a deal” and that diplomacy is still possible.
“`