Donald Trump has been ridiculed online after he implored the Russian president to stop the attacks on Ukraine.
The US president surprised followers by issuing a rare statement of criticism against Vladimir Putin on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, after Russia’s latest bombardment of the Ukrainian capital.
He wrote: “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!”
At least nine people were killed and more than 70 injured in Russia’s deadliest strike on Kyiv since last summer, according to the United Nations.
Trump’s post was unexpected, especially since the president told reporters hours before that “we have a deal with Russia” to end the war and given his ongoing criticisms of Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
He accused Zelenskyy of prolonging the war by not formally ceding the occupied peninsula of Crimea to Putin.
While Trump claimed the Ukrainian president’s words were “inflammatory”, he described Putin’s deliberate attack on Ukraine just as “very bad timing”.
So it’s no surprise that social media critics quickly accused Trump of being “weak”.
Trump’s remarks also contrast with the condemnation from the rest of Ukraine’s allies over Russia’s recent behaviour.
Commenting on the latest strikes on Kyiv, Keir Starmer said: “I think it’s a real reminder that Russia is the aggressor here and that is being felt by the Ukrainians, as it has been felt for three long years now.
“That’s why it’s important to get Russia to an unconditional ceasefire.
“Obviously, we had talks in London this week, Paris last week. We’re making progress towards the ceasefire. It’s got to be a lasting ceasefire.
“But these attacks – these awful attacks – are a real, human reminder of who is the aggressor here and the cost to the Ukrainian people.”
The PM’s official spokesperson did still insist the UK is still not “taking sides” between Ukraine and the US, though.
He said: “We share President Trump’s desire to bring this barbaric war to an end and we are, as you saw in the talks yesterday in London, working closely with the US and other international partners to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, but we have been clear it remains the case that how and on what terms that war comes to end can only be decided by Ukraine.”
Meanwhile, French president Emmanuel Macron called for Putin to “stop lying” about wanting peace in Ukraine.
He said: “In Ukraine, they only want a single answer: Does President Putin agree to an unconditional ceasefire?
“If President Putin says yes, the weapons will fall silent tomorrow, lives will be saved.”
Macron added: “US anger should be directed at only one person, president Putin.”
Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen said: “Kyiv was brutally attacked by Russia again last night.
“A clear message from the Kremlin: Russia has no real interest in peace.
“Peace cannot be negotiated under fire. Denmark stands with Ukraine against this brutality.”
Zelenskyy himself also warned today that Kyiv does not “see strong pressure on Russia now”.
“We believe that with greater pressure on the Russian Federation, we will be able to bring our sides closer,” he said, adding: “If Russia declares that it is ready for a ceasefire, they need to stop the strikes on Ukraine.”
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