President Donald Trump on Thursday claimed that Russia has made a “pretty big concession” in its ongoing war with Ukraine by halting efforts to seize the entire country. Trump’s comments came during a meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre at the White House.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump characterized Russia’s decision to limit its territorial ambitions as an important step toward peace. “Stopping taking the whole country, pretty big concession,” Trump said, when asked what Russian President Vladimir Putin was doing to help reach a peace agreement.
Earlier in the day, Trump issued a rare public rebuke of Putin, following a deadly Russian missile and drone strike on Kyiv that killed at least 12 people and wounded 90.
“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying.” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. “Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!”
Russia struck Kyiv with an hours long barrage of missiles and drones. At least 12 people were killed and 90 were injured in the deadliest assault on the city since last July.
Trump’s criticism of Putin is notable because Trump has repeatedly said Russia is more willing than Ukraine to get a deal done. “I didn’t like last night,” Trump said of Russia’s massive attack on Kyiv, which led to him criticizing Putin. “I wasn’t happy with it.” In his dealings with Zelenskyy and Putin, Trump has focused on which leader has leverage. Putin has “the cards” and Zelenskyy does not, Trump has said repeatedly.
On Wednesday, Trump lashed out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and accused him of prolonging the “killing field” by refusing to surrender the Russia-occupied Crimean Peninsula as part of a possible deal. Russia illegally annexed that area in 2014.
Zelenskyy has repeated many times that recognizing occupied territory as Russia’s is a red line for Ukraine. He noted Thursday that Ukraine had agreed to a US ceasefire proposal 44 days ago as a first step to a negotiated peace, but that Moscow’s attacks had continued.
(With inputs from Associated Press)
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