US president says Russian counterpart ‘doing what anybody else would do’ as Ukraine faces escalating aerial attacks

Donald Trump has said Vladimir Putin was “doing what anybody would do” after Russia launched a massive missile and drone strike on Ukraine days after the US cut off vital intelligence and military aid to Kyiv.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Friday Trump said he finds it “easier” to work with Russia than Ukraine and that Putin “wants to end the war”.

“I’m finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine. And they don’t have the cards,” Trump said. “In terms of getting a final settlement, it may be easier dealing with Russia.”

Asked whether the Russian leader was taking advantage of the pause in US intelligence sharing and military aid to Ukraine, Trump replied: “I actually think he is doing what anybody else would do.”

  • randomperson@lemm.eeEnglish
    417·
    2 days ago

    There will be some struggles but nobody is going down, there is a big difference between trying to overthrow a government and actually doing it

    • limer@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      51·
      2 days ago

      It’s early days; very easy to assume things will remain mostly the same but with higher prices, and supply issues. Maybe the odd disease?

      I don’t think many people understand how the USA works, and keeps itself together, I don’t. Obviously there is inertia that going to keep things more or less stable.

      But if a system is stressed and then something else happens, totally out of left field, history is just filled to the brim of unlucky coincidences affecting large swathes of peoples

      • randomperson@lemm.eeEnglish
        1·
        1 day ago

        higher prices, and supply issues. Maybe the odd disease?

        That’s what I meant by struggles

        You make it sound like the US will be completely erased from existence, that’s not how reality works, countries don’t just disappear, they change and sometimes into multiple smaller countries but they’re the same people and I think that’s the most important defining factor of a country.

        I agree that such a change will have a negative short term impact but if everybody goes to protests, apply civil disobedience and maybe a general strike the risk of violence goes way the fuck down and the only dangers are the ones from lack of resources and rapid spread of illness but these will be fixed long term