**US President Trump Says He’s “Saving” Ukraine, but Dodges Question on Military Aid**
In a recent interview with The Atlantic, US President Donald Trump claimed he believes he is “saving” Ukraine from Russia’s invasion. However, when asked about supplying weapons to the war-torn country, Trump dodged the question and instead suggested other forms of pressure on Russia.
According to the article published in The Atlantic on April 28, Trump had a conversation with Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg about his first 100 days in office. One of Trump’s goals was to end Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine. Despite this, the Trump administration has threatened to walk away from peace negotiations altogether.
Trump stated, “I think I’m saving that nation,” referring to Ukraine. He also claimed that if he had won the 2020 US election, the full-scale invasion would not have happened. This is a claim Trump makes repeatedly when pressed on his Ukraine-Russia policy.
**The Distinction Between Supporting Ukraine and President Zelensky**
Trump drew a distinction between supporting Ukraine and supporting President Volodymyr Zelensky. He claimed he had a hard time with Zelensky, likely referring to their infamous Oval Office argument in February. However, when the two leaders met face-to-face in the Vatican following the funeral of Pope Francis, they reportedly had a productive and constructive discussion.
**The Trump Administration’s Threats on Sanctions**
Trump suggested that continued escalation from Moscow would not necessarily lead to the US shipping weapons to Kyiv. Instead, he implied other forms of pressure on Russia, saying, “Doesn’t have to be weapons… It can be many other weapons.” He has repeatedly threatened to impose tougher sanctions against Russia but has not followed through on those threats.
**The Implications of Trump’s Comments**
Trump’s comments on Ukraine and Russia are significant. His claims that he is saving Ukraine from destruction may be seen as an attempt to justify his administration’s inaction on the conflict. The fact that he drew a distinction between supporting Ukraine and President Zelensky raises questions about whether his administration is genuinely committed to helping the Ukrainian people.
Furthermore, Trump’s suggestion of other forms of pressure on Russia, such as sanctions and banking restrictions, may be seen as a more effective way to pressure Moscow than providing military aid. However, critics argue that this approach has not been proven to be effective in the past.
**The Larger Context**
The conflict in Ukraine is a complex issue with far-reaching implications for global security and stability. The Trump administration’s handling of the crisis has been criticized by many experts and officials who feel they are not doing enough to support Ukraine or pressure Russia.
In light of these developments, it remains unclear what course of action the US will take on Ukraine. One thing is certain, however: the conflict in Ukraine continues to be a pressing issue that requires a sustained and committed response from the international community.
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