Trump's many turns on Russia-Ukraine: From spat with Zelensky to telling Putin, ‘Vladimir STOP'
With Trump struggling to secure a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, the US president's rhetoric towards both Zelensky and Putin has changed multiple times since his return to the White House.
The US President is set to meet with Vladimir Putin on August 15 in Alaska as he moves to establish a truce between Kyiv and Moscow.
'At the end of that meeting, probably the first two minutes, I'll know exactly whether or not a deal can be made,' Trump told reporters during a press conference on Monday.
Amid the US-led efforts for a ceasefire, it is to be noted that Trump's rhetoric towards Zelensky and Putin has changed.
How Trump's rhetoric has changed
From his Oval Office spat with the Ukrainian president to increased "disappointment" with the Russian President, here's a look at how Trump's outlook has changed:
Peace talks offer: Trump started the year and his presidency by approaching Russia for peace talks. As the Trump administration took a more conciliatory approach towards Russia, the US president openly lashed out at Zelensky.
From calling him a dictator to the very public spat with Zelensky at the Oval Office, Trump's rhetoric towards the Ukrainian president remained aggressive.
Spat with Ukraine prez: In February, Trump and his vice president, JD Vance, publicly targeted Zelensky , accusing the Ukrainian leader of "gambling with World War III". 'And what you're doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that's backed you far more than a lot of people said they should have," said Trump.
Trump's attack on Zelensky prompted the Ukrainian leader to cancel the rest of his US visit and the US moved to pause military aid for Kyiv.
Trusting Russia: Despite Europe and Zelensky warning Trump of Russian disinformation, the US president continued to trust Putin for a potential peace deal. However, in April, Trump condemned Russia's strikes on Kyiv and urged the Russian leader to "STOP."
'I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!' Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Softens towards Zelensky: Following this, Trump's tone towards Ukraine and Zelensky softened. The US president even resumed military aid for Kyiv and agreed to send patriot air defence missiles.
Since this shift, Trump has expressed his increasing frustration with the Russian leader publicly, be it on Truth Social or while speaking to reporters.
Trying a balance now: With efforts to establish a truce underway, Trump has now softened his tone towards both countries. 'I thought it was very respectful that the president of Russia is coming to our country as opposed to us going to his country or even a third party place," Trump said ahead of his meeting with Putin.
Furthermore, Trump also seemed to have taken his 'land-swap' agenda down a notch by saying he will work to get 'territory back for Ukraine.'
Will this tone last? The world will find out more after his meeting with Putin on Friday.
(With inputs from AP)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
12 minutes ago
- Hans India
India welcomes progress in peace talks
New Delhi: The world wants to see an early end to the conflict in Ukraine, India said on Saturday, welcoming the summit talks in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. The two Presidents had held extensive talks on Friday but couldn't reach an agreement for a ceasefire in Ukraine. "India welcomes the Summit meeting in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. "Their leadership in the pursuit of peace is highly commendable," it said in a statement.
Indian Express
12 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Three Republican-led states to deploy National Guard troops to US capital
The Republican governors of three states are deploying hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., at the request of the administration of President Donald Trump, who has portrayed the city as awash in crime. The announcements on Saturday of troops from hundreds of miles away in West Virginia, South Carolina and Ohio came a day after DC officials and the Trump administration negotiated a deal to keep Mayor Muriel Bowser's appointed police chief, Pamela Smith, in charge of the police department after D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit to block the federal takeover of the department. Trump, a Republican, said this week he was deploying hundreds of DC National Guard troops to Washington and temporarily taking over the Democratic-led city's police department to curb what he depicted as a crime and homelessness emergency. Justice Department data, however, showed violent crime in 2024 hit a 30-year low in Washington, a self-governing federal district under the jurisdiction of Congress. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey's office said in a statement he was deploying 300 to 400 National Guard troops to D.C. in 'a show of commitment to public safety and regional cooperation.' The statement said he also was providing equipment and specialized training. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster responded to a Pentagon request by announcing that 200 of his state's National Guard troops would be sent. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said he would send 150 military police members in the coming days, adding none of them were 'currently serving as law enforcement officers in the state.' After the announcements, Mayor Bowser posted on X: 'American soldiers and airmen policing American citizens on American soil is #UnAmerican.' The National Guard serves as a militia that answers to the governors of the 50 states except when called into federal service. The D.C. National Guard reports directly to the president. Trump, who has suggested he could take similar actions in other Democratic-controlled cities, has sought to expand the powers of the presidency in his second term, inserting himself into the affairs of major banks, law firms and elite universities. In June, Trump ordered 700 Marines and 4,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, against the wishes of California's Democratic governor, during protests over mass immigration raids by federal officials. South Carolina's McMaster said his troops would immediately return to South Carolina if needed to respond to a possible hurricane or other natural disaster. Hurricane Erin, now northeast of Puerto Rico, has become a catastrophic Category 5 storm that could bring ocean swells to the U.S. East Coast early next week, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said on Saturday. National Guard troops often respond to natural disasters and rarely police U.S. civilians. Drew Galang, a spokesperson for West Virginia's Morrisey, said the state's National Guard received the order to send equipment and personnel to D.C. late on Friday and was working to organize the deployment. A White House official said on Saturday that more National Guard troops would be called in to Washington to 'protect federal assets, create a safe environment for law enforcement officials to carry out their duties when required, and provide a visible presence to deter crime.' A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said a formal order was expected to go out that would authorize National Guard troops in D.C. to carry firearms. The official said this order would affect mostly military police officers with sidearms. Reuters has reported that the National Guard troops would have weapons nearby, such as in their vehicles. The White House said on Saturday that D.C. National Guard members have conducted patrols on foot and in vehicles around the National Mall and Union Station. The White House said the National Guard troops are not making arrests now and that they may be armed. It is not clear how the administration could deploy National Guard troops elsewhere. A federal judge in San Francisco is expected in the coming weeks to issue a ruling on whether Trump violated the law with the Los Angeles deployments.
News18
20 minutes ago
- News18
Foreign News Schedule for Aug 17, Sunday
Agency: PTI Last Updated: Representational image (Image: News18) **** Foreign Secretary Misri arrives in Nepal for two-day visit Stories on developments in Pakistan. Stories on political developments in Bangladesh. Stories on Russia-Ukraine war. Stories on West Asia wars.**** GRS GRS Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
