In a surprising shift, US President Donald Trump has indicated he is poised to make a significant announcement regarding Russia, just two days after expressing his dissatisfaction with Vladimir Putin’s actions. During a phone interview with NBC News, Trump stated, “I’m disappointed in Russia, but we’ll see what happens over the next couple of weeks.” He hinted that he may provide more details about his plans on Monday.
Though specifics were scarce, Trump’s remarks suggested he could be readying new sanctions in response to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. A bill backed by Trump ally Senator Lindsey Graham, which includes stringent measures against Moscow, is anticipated to pass the Senate shortly. Trump confirmed that this legislation would give him significant discretion over how to address the situation, stating, “It’s at my option if I want to use it.”
This change in rhetoric marks a considerable turnaround for Trump, who had previously expressed admiration for Putin and suggested he could swiftly resolve the conflict in Ukraine after taking office. However, Trump’s recent comments reflect a new level of frustration, acknowledging that Putin has no intention of ceasing hostilities in Ukraine, which has been enduring for over three years. “I’m not happy with Putin, I can tell you that much right now, because he’s killing a lot of people,” Trump noted in a recent statement.
Trump’s evolving stance on Russia includes criticism of what he described as “bulls—” from Putin, acknowledging that while the Russian leader often presents a friendly visage, it ultimately amounts to little. Following a temporary halt in arms shipments to Ukraine, the White House has since resumed these deliveries and has solidified arrangements with NATO to continue providing military assistance to Ukraine, with NATO covering the costs of weaponry supplied to them.
This developing narrative of Trump’s displeasure with Putin and his government’s response to Russia’s aggressive actions indicates a significant juncture in US foreign policy towards Russia, as the administration appears to be gearing up for a more assertive approach in the face of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.