**US President Donald Trump Suggests Letting Russia and Ukraine Fight On**
In a surprise move, US President Donald Trump has suggested that it might be better for him to let the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine continue, rather than trying to broker a peace deal. This statement came just hours before hundreds of Russian drones and missiles struck residential areas in Ukrainian cities.
Trump made these comments during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House on June 5th. He compared the conflict to a playground fight between two children, saying that sometimes it’s best to let them fight for a while and then intervene. This analogy was also shared with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call earlier in the week.
**Trump Admits Flawed Peace Effort**
Since taking office, Trump has been advocating for talks between Moscow and Kyiv to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, with Russia maintaining maximalist demands that amount to Ukraine’s capitulation, and continuing to target civilians and infrastructure, Trump’s efforts have proven ineffective. It seems he is now starting to realize that his idea was flawed from the outset.
Trump also acknowledged the deep-seated animosity between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which has made it difficult to reach a ceasefire. He said that there is “bad blood” and “a lot of animosity” between the two leaders.
**No Commitment on Russia Sanctions**
When asked about new sanctions on Russia, Trump was non-committal. Despite previous threats, he refused to commit to supporting sanctions or backing a bill sponsored by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. He said that he would discuss the matter with Merz but noted that “it takes two to tango.” Trump also stated that if Russia is out of line, he will be tough on both countries.
However, it’s worth noting that none of Trump’s earlier threats toward Russia have gone beyond rhetoric. This lack of commitment has sparked concerns among EU leaders, who are currently debating their 18th sanctions package since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
**EU Pushes for More Sanctions**
German Chancellor Merz said that he discussed sanctions with US senators and predicted that the European Union would pass its 18th sanctions package. This move is a clear indication that the EU is committed to holding Russia accountable for its actions, even if Trump is not.
In conclusion, Trump’s statement suggests that he may be taking a step back from his peace effort, acknowledging that it was flawed from the outset. However, this lack of commitment on sanctions has raised concerns among EU leaders, who are pushing forward with their own efforts to hold Russia accountable.
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