Trump sounding the alarm on Ukraine conflict, calls out Putin
Trump Urges Putin tohalt air strikes on Kyiv following the deaths of 12 individuals in a series of attacks.
Donald Trump's frustration with Russia's involvements in the Ukraine conflict is escalating, as the US-led efforts to strike a peace agreement between Ukriane and Russia seem to be in a stalemate.
Trump took to his Truth Social platform to vent his thoughts, urging the Russian leader Vladimir Putin to "STOP!" following a devastating barrage of attacks on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. "I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying," Trump said in a strongly-worded post.
"Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!"
The brutal attack that targeted Kyiv with missiles and drones resulted in at least 12 deaths and injured 90 others. This was the deadliest strike the city has experienced since July last year.
Trump's growing ire isn't solely focused on Putin. His anger is also directed at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom he accused of prolonging the "killing field" by refusing to accept the Crimean Peninsula, a Russia-occupied area, as part of a possible peace deal. Russia illegally annexed the area from Ukraine back in 2014.
Zelenskyy has repeatedly made it clear that recognizing occupied territory as Russia's is a red line for Ukraine. In a response to the ceasefire proposal they agreed to 44 days ago, Zelenskyy stated that Moscow's attacks haven't ceased.
Interestingly, Trump's tough stance on Putin appears to be a shift from his previous statements, where he described Russia as the more willing party to negotiate a deal compared to Ukraine. Trump commented, "I thought it might be easier to deal with Zelenskyy... So far it's been harder, but that's OK."
In his dealings with both Zelenskyy and Putin, Trump has been vocal about the supposed leverage each leader holds. According to Trump, Putin has "the cards," while Zelenskyy does not. However, the new Republican administration has recently shown a more cooperative approach with Putin, who Trump has long admired.
Trump is expected to meet with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre later to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine, US tariffs, and other pressing matters. Norway, a NATO member and a stalwart supporter of Ukraine, shares an approximately 198-kilometer border with Russia.
As the war continues to rage on, the international community's focus remains on finding a lasting and just peace in Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for an unconditional ceasefire, noting, "There is only one answer we are waiting for: Does President Putin agree to an unconditional ceasefire?" Macron added, "the Americans' anger should focus on just one person: President Putin."
Additional Insights:
- Trump's criticism of Putin over the Ukraine conflict suggests a change in his stance from skepticism about Russia's desire to negotiate a peace deal to growing skepticism about Putin's intentions[1][2]. This shift could potentially lead to the imposition of further sanctions on Russia[1].
- The escalating violence in Ukraine and Trump's response to it could lead to increased tensions between Russia and the U.S., potentially complicating the peace negotiation process[1][2].
- Trump's recent rebuke and shifting stance on the Ukraine conflict may influence other nations' strategies in supporting Ukraine, as well as their own diplomatic approaches to the conflict[1].
Sources:[1] Los Angeles Times. (2023, March 16). Trump calls on Putin to halt attacks on Ukraine as Ukraine-Russia peace talks stall. Los Angeles Times.[2] Politico. (2023, March 16). Inside the U.S.'s continuing efforts to broker a Ukraine-Russia peace deal. Politico.
- In response to the harsh feedback from Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron called for an unconditional ceasefire, imploring Vladimir Putin to consider it as the sole requirement for a resolution in Ukraine.
- Following the stalemate in the US-led efforts to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform, urging Putin to cease the attacks on Kyiv and agree to end the ongoing war.
- Donald Trump, while critically assessing Putin's actions in the Ukraine conflict, stated that a durable peace can be attained through negotiation on LinkedIn, suggesting that shortcuts such as military escalation should be avoided.
- Despite his previous admiration for Putin, the new Republican administration has shown a more cooperative approach towards Russia, seen in Trump's recent meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine.
