Reinforcing his inconsistent image regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Donald Trump rejected on Tuesday to publicly take sides with the Ukrainian government, stating that he is “on the side of humanity” and that his goal is to “put an end to the deaths” on both sides.
In a shift from his policy of appeasement towards Vladimir Putin, in recent days the US president has been critical of the Russian president on several occasions for the increase in attacks on various points in Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv, despite his efforts to try to achieve a ceasefire and activate a peace process, without these attempts having succeeded to date.
On Monday, in fact, Trump announced that he will impose 100% tariffs on Russia’s trading partners if Moscow does not reach a peace agreement with Ukraine in the next 50 days.
What is Trump’s position on the Ukraine War?
“I am not on anyone’s side,” commented the US president when the press asked him if he is on Ukraine’s side now that he has arranged for the delivery of Patriot anti-aircraft defense systems through NATO and threatened Russia with tariffs.
“Do you know which side I am on? I am on the side of humanity. I want to stop the death of thousands of people every week. I want to stop the killing. I want the deaths to stop in the war between Ukraine and Russia. That’s the side I am on," explained the Republican president as he left the Oval Office for a trip to Pennsylvania.
He also said that “if at the end of the 50 days they do not reach an agreement it will be a shame” and assured that, then, “the tariffs will go ahead, as well as other sanctions... But we will see what happens with President Putin.”
Donald Trump reiterated that “I have been very disappointed with Putin. I have ended many wars in the last three months, but I have not been able to do so with this one,” before stating that this is a war of his predecessor, Joe Biden, "not a Trump war and that what he is doing is “trying to get out of that disaster.”
In this context, Trump said that Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky “should not attack Moscow” and rejected the idea that Washington would send him long-range missiles, after the Financial Times reported that the New York magnate had asked the Ukrainian leader if he would be able to reach the Russian capital if he were given long-range weapons.