Trump criticizes Putin and Zelenskyy as he pushes for a ceasefire in Ukraine
President Trump hit Vladimir Putin and Vodimir Zelensky on Sunday, frustrated by Russian and Ukrainian leaders The war at three years old Between their countries.
Although Mr. Trump insisted that reporters say “we are making great progress,” he acknowledged that there was “great hatred” between the two, which is a brand new sign that negotiations may not produce a swift conclusion he promised during the campaign.
Mr. Trump began to express his criticism in an early morning interview with NBC News while he was at Mar-a-Lago, a private club in Florida. He said he was “angry, angry” and Putin questioned Zelenskyy’s credibility.
The Russian leader recently said that Zelenskyy lacked the legality of signing a peace agreement. It is suggested that Ukraine needs external governance.
Mr Trump said he would consider new sanctions on Russia, which has faced serious economic fines and used tariffs to undermine its oil exports.
The Republican president rarely criticized Putin, who had previously personally attacked Zelensky’s credibility. For example, Mr. Trump suggested that Ukraine caused the war that began in Russia three years ago, and he insisted that even if it was illegal under Ukraine’s constitution, Zelenskyy should hold elections.
Trump reiterated his annoyance with Putin on Sunday night during his flight back to Washington.
“I don’t think he’s going to go back and say what he says,” he said. “I’ve known him for a long time. We’ve been getting along well.”
Asked when he hoped Russia would agree to a ceasefire, Mr. Trump said there was a “psychological deadline.”
“I wouldn’t be happy about it if I thought they were digging us,” he said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Putin was “still willing to engage with President Trump”, adding that there was “no plan” call but “their dialogue will be organized quickly when necessary”.
Peskov also said that Russia “continues to cooperate with the United States to establish bilateral relations.”
Mr. Trump criticized Zelenskyy during a flight on Sunday night.
“He is trying to withdraw from the rare earth deal,” Mr Trump said, referring to negotiations on the U.S. acquisition of key Ukraine minerals. “If he does, he has some problems. Big problems.”
Mr. Trump and Zelenskyy should sign the deal when Ukrainian leaders visit the White House. However, their meeting Acrobatics playing in front of a TV camera In the Oval Office.
Mr. Trump advised on Sunday that Zelenskyy wanted to “renegotiate the deal” for better security assurance.
“He wants to be a member of NATO,” he said. “Well, he will never be a member of NATO. He knows that.”
Russia effectively rejected a U.S. proposal to stop work immediately in the Russian-Ukrainian battle, with the feasibility of a partial ceasefire in the Black Sea being questioned after Kremlin negotiators imposed far-reaching conditions.
Mr. Trump’s comments on Putin came after weeks of intense pressure on Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Russian drones attacked a military hospital, shopping center and apartment block in Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkif, killing two people and injuring dozens of people.
Ukraine’s General Staff condemned the “intentional shelling” of military hospitals on Saturday night. Its casualties include service members who are undergoing treatment. Regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov said the people killed were a 67-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman.
According to Ukrainian government and military analysts, Russian forces are preparing to launch a new military offensive in the coming weeks to maximize pressure on Kiev and strengthen the Kremlin’s negotiating position in the Ceasefire negotiations.
