Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer says Ukraine-Russia war 'very personal' issue for President Donald Trump

Sky News AU

27-05-2025

A former staffer has given an insight of Donald Trump's recent criticism of Vladimir Putin, hinting more could be said after the United States President was "taken advantage of".
The leader of the free world blasted President Putin following Moscow's reportedly largest aerial attack on Ukrainian cities, killing at least 13 people on Monday.
President Trump - who had spoken to his Russian counterpart on the phone for two hours just last week - was furious about the bombardment on the war-torn nation.
'I've always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!' he wrote on Truth Social.
'I've always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that's proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!'
Sean Spicer, the commander-in-chief's former White House press secretary during his last term - told Sky News that President Trump is "rightfully upset".
"The deal that was on the table is frankly the best and most generous deal that Putin could and should ever get... And I think the idea that you could walk away with some of this land that you've annexed under your control is probably the best deal... considering the 1994 Budapest Memorandum that we are party to, right?" he said to Andrew Bolt.
"So, the idea is that we're willing to make these concessions about Ukraine's NATO membership the status of some of the annexed land. I get why Trump's furious."
Mr Spicer added that President Trump was "proud" there had been no major incursion in the 40 years leading up to his first term but that changed with Joe Biden.
The Republican had vowed during the US election campaign that he could end the war "on day one" if he won presidency, which was some months ago.
"Trump is saying, 'I'm going to go in and I want to make peace. I want you to end the killing and the destruction'. And he gave what I would say is a very long leash," he said.
"I've witnessed first-hand how he is personally affected by the innocent killing of individuals, whether it's Americans or people in Syria or around the world.
"So I know that this is a personal issue for him.
"And I think that he views this as, 'hey, Vladimir I gave you a long leash. I gave the most favourable term you could ever get, and you've taken advantage of me'."
Mr Spicer predicted the President will make it known how much it is a personal issue for him "in the next week or so" which he hoped will be "beyond social media posts".
President Trump had first told reporters in New Jersey that he did not know "what the hell happened" to President Putin, speaking about Monday's aerial attacks.
He went on to say he had known the Russian leader "for a long time" but "sending rockets into cities and killing people... I don't like it at all".
Asked by a journalist if he would consider slapping further sanctions against Russia, President Trump said it is "absolutely" a consideration.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made light of the remarks, saying it came from "emotional overload" but insisted Russia is "grateful" for his help to end the war.