Trump says Putin 'doing what anybody would do' after Russia launches missile attack on Ukraine

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Vladimir Putin was “doing what anybody would do” after Russia launched a major missile and drone attack on Ukraine, The Guardian reported.

This remarks comes after the US decided to halt key military aid and intelligence sharing to Kyiv.

When a reporter asked whether Putin was taking advantage of the pause in US intelligence sharing and military aid to Ukraine, Trump said, “I actually think he is doing what anybody else would do.”

Trump made the statement while speaking to the press at the Oval Office on Friday.

He said he finds it “easier” to work with Russia than Ukraine and claimed that Putin “wants to end the war.”

“I’m finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine. And they don’t have the cards,” Trump said. “In terms of getting a final settlement, it may be easier dealing with Russia.”

Trump, emphasising the gravity of the recent massive missile attacks on Ukraine, said, “We’re doing very well with Russia. But right now, they’re bombing the hell out of Ukraine.”

He said that he thinks Putin wants to stop the war and reach a settlement, adding, “I think he’s hitting them harder than he’s been hitting them, and I think probably anybody in that position would be doing that right now.”

The stance on foreign policy, particularly on Ukraine, has changed after Trump took office for his second term as US President.

War of words between Trump, Zelenskyy

Earlier, both Trump and Zelenskyy were engaged in a war of words following a strain in ties.

Trump called Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections,” whereas the Ukrainian President said that Trump was living in a Russian “disinformation bubble.”

Public spat in Oval office

Later, when Zelenskyy visited the White House, the two leaders clashed publicly, with Trump accusing Zelenskyy of gambling on “World War 3”, not seeking peace in the war and disrespecting the US.

In an effort to secure peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, Trump announced plans to visit Saudi Arabia to discuss reviving the peace process.

Trump “strongly considering” new sanctions on Russia

Earlier, Trump said on Friday that he is “strongly considering” imposing new sanctions and tariffs on Russia. This could be seen as his attempt to increase pressure on Moscow to secure peace in the Ukraine war.

Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, said he was considering the action “based on the fact that Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now.”