Washington: US President Donald Trump has said that Trump is disappointed with Russian President Vladimir Putin, while signalling that the Trump administration will take steps to reduce civilian deaths in the ongoing war in Ukraine. President has also stressed that closer China-Russia ties are not a concern for the United States.
Trump held a summit with President Putin in Alaska in mid-August, followed by meetings at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European and NATO leaders.
President has said that these discussions aimed to prepare ground for talks between President Putin and President Zelenskiy, first bilaterally and later with Trump included. However, President Zelenskiy has said that Russia has obstructed progress toward such a meeting, while Moscow has argued that the agenda was not ready.
Trump has said that the Trump administration will act to ‘help people live,’ though Trump did not provide specific details.Trump has told President Zelenskiy that Washington would support Ukraine’s security in any peace framework and reiterated a threat of stronger sanctions on Russia if progress toward a settlement remains stalled.
Russia currently occupies about a fifth of Ukraine. Trump has indicated that any resolution will involve ‘land-swapping’ and territorial adjustments. Ukraine has opposed recognising Russian sovereignty over any part of its territory, but Ukraine has signalled it may be forced to accept some de facto territorial losses.
In remarks, Trump said that Trump was not concerned about an emerging alignment between China and Russia. President has emphasised that the United States retains overwhelming military superiority and dismissed the possibility of either country using military force directly against the US.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has hosted President Putin for talks in China, referring to Putin as an ‘old friend.’ President Xi also met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as Beijing launched its largest-ever military parade to project China’s growing global influence.
In a interview, Trump said that despite disappointment with President Putin, Trump believes US strength ensures that China-Russia ties do not threaten American security. These comments come as Washington seeks to balance support for Ukraine with broader competition involving China and its alliances.
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