US President Donald Trump on Friday said he believes negotiating with Moscow will be easier than with Kyiv in reaching a final settlement to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, asserting that Russian President Vladimir Putin holds “all the cards”
read more
US President Donald Trump on Friday said he believes negotiating with Moscow will be easier than with Kyiv in reaching a final settlement to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, asserting that Russian President Vladimir Putin holds “all the cards.”
Trump said that “anyone” in Putin’s position would be attacking Ukraine given the current battlefield dynamics.
While expressing his desire to assist Ukraine, he emphasised that Kyiv needs to “get on the ball” and work towards a peace agreement.
“I think we’re doing very well with Russia, but right now they’re bombing the hell out of Ukraine. And Ukraine, I’m finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine, and they don’t have the cards,” CNN quoted Trump as saying in the Oval Office.
“In terms of getting a final settlement, it may be easier dealing with Russia, which is surprising, because they have all the cards,” he went on.
Earlier on Friday, Trump threatened new sanctions on Russia as it began extensive strikes across Ukraine.
“Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large-scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT O