President-elect Donald Trump promised in a wide-ranging Time magazine interview published Thursday that he would not “abandon” Ukraine amid the nearly three-year-long war — but he criticized the Biden administration’s decision to greenlight long-range missiles in Russia. Called “side effect”. The most dangerous thing.”
Trump, 78, has long called for peace between the nations, but he has rarely before discussed how he would negotiate an end to the conflict. sit with time Because he was named the outlet’s “Person of the Year” for 2024.
“I want to reach an agreement, and the only way to reach an agreement is not to leave it,” the once-and-to-be president said after being pressed on his plans for Ukraine.
“I think the most dangerous thing at the moment is what’s happening,” he said later, “where Zelensky has decided, with the president’s approval, I think, to start shooting missiles at Russia. “
“I think it’s a huge increase. I think this is a foolish decision. But I think people will be waiting for me to come in before anything happens. I would imagine. I think it would be a very wise thing to do,” he said.
In late November, President Biden for the first time authorized the use of US-made long-range missiles for Ukraine to attack Russia’s Kursk region in Kiev. launched powerful weapons In the 1,000-day war, a US official previously told The Post.
but an initial hurdle Six ATACMS ballistic missiles On 19 November, an ammunition supply location in the Bryansk region was attacked – leading to speculation about whether the attack violated the terms of Biden’s commitment.
Russian President Vladimir Putin responded two days later firing nuclear capable ballistic missiles In Ukraine, however, a top Kremlin military official later denied that the attack was retaliatory.
On Thursday, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh warned that the Kremlin Now Trump was considering launching a new lethal intermediate-range ballistic missile against Ukraine less than 40 days before he takes office.
The author of the “Art of the Deal” has mostly kept quiet about his negotiating strategy as he prepares to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I completely disagree with sending missiles hundreds of miles into Russia. Why are we doing this?” Trump asked.
He declared, “We are escalating this war and making it worse.” “This should not have been allowed to happen. Now they are not only making missiles, but they are also making other types of weapons. And I think that’s a huge mistake, a huge mistake.”
Trump also spoke at length about his frustration over the rising number of casualties.
“The number of deaths is, number one, unsustainable, and I’m talking about both sides,” the 45th and soon-to-be 47th president said. “Getting this thing done is really a win-win for both parties.”
“Putin would never have invaded Ukraine if I had been president for several reasons,” he said. “Number one, they raised the price of oil. When they raised the price of oil, they made it a profit making situation for them, the price of oil should have gone down. If it had been closed, you wouldn’t have this, it just wouldn’t have started for pure economic reasons. But when it reaches $80, $85, and $90 per barrel.”
“I mean, he made it, he made a lot of money. I’m not saying it’s a good thing, because they too have suffered, but they are moving forward,” he assessed. “You know, it’s a war – it’s a tragedy. This is a death that is far greater than any known man. When the real numbers come out, you’ll see figures you won’t believe.
Trump told The Post on Sunday He spoke with Zelensky about a possible peace deal during their meeting at the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
He said that although he did not discuss “details” of the occupied Ukrainian territories in Crimea and Donbass, Zelensky said he was ready for “peace”.
“He wants a cease-fire,” Trump said of his Ukrainian counterpart. “He wants to make peace. We didn’t talk about details. He thinks it’s time, and Putin should think it’s time because he’s lost – when you lose 700,000 people, it’s time. “This is not going to end until there is peace.”
White House representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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