Donald Trump defended Russia's massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine that followed his administration's halt to intelligence sharing and military aid to Kyiv, saying Putin was "doing what anybody would do."
Trump told reporters he finds it "easier" to work with Russia than Ukraine, claiming Putin "wants to end the war."
While threatening vague sanctions against Russia on social media, Trump's actual actions have targeted Ukraine, including cutting off military supplies and disabling Ukraine's access to satellite imagery.
Ukrainian forces have reportedly suffered battlefield setbacks as a direct result of these U.S. policy changes.
Donald Trump has said Vladimir Putin was “doing what anybody would do” after Russia launched a massive missile and drone strike on Ukraine days after the US cut off vital intelligence and military aid to Kyiv.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Friday Trump said he finds it “easier” to work with Russia than Ukraine and that Putin “wants to end the war”.
“I’m finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine. And they don’t have the cards,” Trump said. “In terms of getting a final settlement, it may be easier dealing with Russia.”
Asked whether the Russian leader was taking advantage of the pause in US intelligence sharing and military aid to Ukraine, Trump replied: “I actually think he is doing what anybody else would do.”