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The Hindu
4 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Dangerous turn: on Trump and the Ukraine war
President Donald Trump's announcement that he has ordered 'two nuclear submarines to be positioned in appropriate regions', in response to the 'provocative statements' by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, marks a dangerous turn in the U.S.-Russia relationship which the Republican leader had pledged to repair in the run-up to his election late last year. Mr. Medvedev, now the Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council, had said that Mr. Trump's threats of imposing tariffs on Russia were 'a step towards war'. Mr. Trump did not specify whether he has moved submarines capable of launching intercontinental ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads, or nuclear-powered boats equipped with conventional weapons. In recent weeks, Mr. Trump has expressed growing frustration with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over the Ukraine war. Initially, he gave Mr. Putin a 50-day deadline to end the war or face American tariffs. On July 29, this was shortened to 10 to 12 days. Mr. Trump has also threatened secondary 'penalty' tariffs on countries that trade with Russia such as India and China. Mr. Trump's frustration is understandable. He pressured Ukraine into accepting a ceasefire proposal. His Defence Secretary publicly stated that Ukraine would not be taken into NATO. Yet, the most that he managed to extract from Mr. Putin was a limited truce in the Black Sea and a temporary pause in attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure. At the heart of the impasse are the divergent views in western capitals and Moscow on how to end the war. While western leaders insist on an immediate ceasefire, Moscow believes that this should be part of a comprehensive peace agreement addressing its core security concerns, including NATO's eastward expansion. Russia also finds little incentive to de-escalate at a time when its troops have strategic momentum. Ukraine has carried out deadly drone attacks on several Russian cities, but on the battlefield, is struggling to hold the line. Besides, Mr. Trump's decision to bomb Iran on behalf of Israel, at a time when Tehran was technically in talks with the U.S., appears to have hardened Russia's position. Nevertheless, diplomatic setbacks are not an excuse for nuclear sabre-rattling. The last thing the world wants today is a direct conflict between the U.S. and Russia. Instead of escalating the crisis, Mr. Trump must reflect on why America's current approach — combining sanctions against Russia with military support for Ukraine — has failed to deter Mr. Putin. His initial turn towards diplomacy was a step in the right direction. He must stay the course and narrow the gap between the western and Russian positions on ending the war.
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Business Standard
4 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Trump takes surprise White House roof walk to view new projects underway
President Donald Trump's day began typically enough, with a television interview and a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Then it took an unexpected and unusual turn when he appeared on the roof of the White House's West Wing. Late Tuesday morning, Trump emerged from a door connected to the State Dining Room and stepped onto the roof above the press briefing room and west colonnade that walls the Rose Garden. He spent nearly 20 minutes surveying the rooftop and the grounds below, including a newly paved makeover of the Rose Garden. Reporters, tipped off by the out-of-the-ordinary positioning of snipers above the Oval Office, shouted questions from below. One called out: Sir, why are you on the roof? Taking a little walk, Trump shouted back. It's good for your health. Trump walked with a small group that included James McCrery, architect of the newly announced USD 200 million ballroom project. They moved slowly, with Trump frequently gesturing and pointing at the roof and grounds. Several times, he wandered toward the corner nearest the press corps, waving and cupping his hands to shout responses to shouted questions. At one point, he said he was looking at another way to spend my money for this country. Later, near the end of his appearance on the roof, Trump was asked what he was going to build. He quipped, Nuclear missiles. The unexpected walk on the rooftop comes as Trump looks to leave a lasting footprint on what's often referred to as The People's House. He has substantially redecorated the Oval Office through the addition of golden flourishes and cherubs, presidential portraits and other items and installed massive flagpoles on the north and south lawns to fly the American flag. And last week, his administration announced that construction on a massive ballroom will begin in September and be ready before Trump's term ends in early 2029. While Trump appeared on the West Wing, the White House has said the ballroom will be where the small, heavily changed, and reconstructed East Wing currently sits. While rare, there have been times through the years where presidents ventured out onto and even slept on the White House roof. To promote renewable energy, President Jimmy Carter installed 32 solar panels on the West Wing roof in the 1970s. The panels were removed during the Reagan administration. In 1910, President William Howard Taft had a sleeping porch built on the roof to escape Washington's hot summer nights.
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Another way to spend my money: Trump jokes about installing 'nuclear missiles' on White House roof; makes launch gesture towards sky
US President surprised reporters on Tuesday morning when he was seen walking along the roof of the White House, directly above the press briefing room, joking that he was 'just taking a little walk' — before laughingly adding that he was scouting a spot to install 'nuclear missiles. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now ' The president, known for his interest in real estate and renovations, was accompanied by a small group, including James McCrery, the architect behind the newly announced $200 million privately funded East Wing ballroom project, reported WCNC News. The group moved slowly as Trump frequently gestured and pointed at the rooftop and the grounds below. Trump, gesturing as if envisioning a circular structure, was asked what he planned to build. He quipped, 'nuclear missiles,' chuckled, and mimicked a projectile with his hand. At one point, he shouted toward reporters, 'Anything I do is financed by me!' He also remarked that he was exploring 'another way to spend my money for this country.' While the president was walking on the west side of the White House, above the press briefing room and not the East Wing, he appeared to be inspecting ongoing or potential construction projects. He did not respond to questions about whether he plans to add another floor to the West Wing to accommodate staff or press. Trump has completed several renovation projects during his term and has proposed more. The $200 million ballroom is among his highest-profile plans, which he hopes to finish before leaving office. He may also have been checking out the recently renovated Rose Garden, located directly below the West Wing roof. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The redesign included a concrete floor, aimed at making it easier for women in heels to walk without sinking into the ground, according to WCNC News. Throughout his presidency, Trump has regularly toured the White House grounds to speak with construction crews and observe projects firsthand. Past additions include two 100-foot flagpoles, one on the North Lawn and one on the South Lawn, each flying large American flags. He also redecorated the Oval Office with gold plating on the ceiling, fireplace, and floor.
