Trump slams Ukraine's missile use in Russia, calls for talks
Donald Trump, President-elect of the USA, expressed opposition to Ukrainian attacks on targets in Russia using American missiles. "It's crazy," he said.
Donald Trump, the President-elect of the USA, criticized Ukrainian attacks on targets in Russia conducted with American missiles in an interview with Time magazine. On Thursday, Time named Trump the Person of the Year.
"It’s crazy what’s taking place. It’s crazy. I disagree very vehemently with sending missiles hundreds of miles into Russia. Why are we doing that? We’re just escalating this war and making it worse. That should not have been allowed to be done," stated the President-elect.
Members of Trump's inner circle had previously criticized the outgoing administration of Joe Biden for easing restrictions on Ukrainian long-range attacks. In November, the US administration gave Ukraine the green light to use American weapons, such as ATACMS missiles with a range of 186 miles, to hit targets deep in Russia. This decision was a response to the deployment of North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region in Russia, partially occupied by Ukrainian forces.
Biden's policy towards Ukraine
In the spring, President Biden agreed to the use of American weapons for attacks in border regions on the Russian side of the border, but this did not involve the use of ATACMS and other longer-range missiles. The Pentagon chief, Lloyd Austin, argued that lifting the restrictions would not change much, as Ukraine has its own weapons with similar and greater range, and the Russians have moved some of their assets, such as bombers used to shell Ukraine, deeper into the country, beyond the range of ATACMS.
Trump on negotiations with Russia
During the election campaign, Trump claimed he could bring about peace within 24 hours, but in the interview with Time, he admitted that it is difficult. "I think that the Middle East is an easier problem to handle than what's happening with Russia and Ukraine," he said. "The numbers of dead young soldiers lying on fields all over the place are staggering. It’s crazy what’s taking place."
When asked if he would limit aid to Ukraine, Trump responded that he would use US aid as leverage to push the Kremlin into negotiations. "I want to reach an agreement, and the only way you're going to reach an agreement is not to abandon," said the President-elect.
