President Donald Trump introduced Wednesday on Reality Social that he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the primary time since being sworn into workplace. Throughout the 90-minute name and on social media, Trump signaled a shift in U.S. coverage that will retreat from the robust help of Ukraine seen throughout Joe Biden’s administration.
This marks a particular shift in Russia’s battle in opposition to Ukraine—with a possible deal between the U.S. and Russia that will have lasting advantages for Putin as he’s given the inexperienced mild to proceed the annexation of the sovereign nation he invaded in 2022.
“I just had a lengthy and highly productive phone call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia,” Trump mentioned in his submit. “As we both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the War with Russia/Ukraine. President Putin even used my powerful Campaign motto of, ‘COMMON SENSE.’ We both believe very strongly in it. We agreed to work together, very closely, including visiting each other’s Nations. We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately, and we will begin by calling President Zelenskyy, of Ukraine, to inform him of the conversation, something which I will be doing right now.”
In response to the state-run account TASS Russian Media, the Kremlin confirmed the cellphone name with Trump through a Telegram submit.
Not solely did Trump say that he’d start negotiations “immediately” between the U.S. and Russia, however he additionally referenced Putin’s use of Trump’s “power campaign motto” of “common sense.”
How does Trump not see that Putin is aware of the right way to get what he desires by taking part in to Trump’s fragile ego and have to be seen as an influential strongman?
An hour later, Trump posted that he had, certainly, spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying on Reality Social that Zelenskyy agreed that Ukraine “wants to make PEACE.”
“It is time to stop this ridiculous War, where there has been massive, and totally unnecessary, DEATH and DESTRUCTION,” Trump added. “God bless the people of Russia and Ukraine!”
Zelenskyy took to X after the cellphone name and mentioned in a video assertion, “We believe that America’s stretch is sufficient to pressure Russia and Putin into peace.”
“I had a long and detailed conversation with President Trump,” wrote Zelenskyy. “I appreciate his genuine interest in our shared opportunities and how we can bring about real peace together.”
Coincidentally, Trump’s bulletins got here shortly after the U.S. Division of Protection introduced it might capitulate to Russia in drawing Ukraine’s borders. On Wednesday, Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth mentioned that Ukraine’s pre-invasion borders had been “an unrealistic objective” and an “illusionary goal” throughout his first journey to fulfill with NATO in Brussels.
Earlier than being elected to his second time period, Trump vowed to finish U.S. funding to Ukraine—though the vast majority of People help it. He picked horrible Cupboard nominees like Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., each of whom have spouted pro-Russian speaking factors.
In the meantime, on Monday, in a transfer that Day by day Kos’ Markos Moulitsas described as actually “morally repugnant,” Trump wasted no time leveraging U.S. international support to Ukraine in alternate for $500 billion of its mineral reserves.
International democracy be damned.
On Tuesday, Trump continued wheeling and coping with the Kremlin. He freed accused Russian cash launderer Alexander Vinnik in alternate for wrongfully detained American trainer Marc Fogel. Fogel, draped in an American flag, met Trump exterior the White Home late Tuesday and referred to as him a “hero.”
Trump’s international coverage technique apparently consists of abandoning allies, appeasing adversaries, and profiting off international instability. His reckless strikes and chaotic governance not solely threaten our nationwide safety by emboldening Russia, but additionally undermine the ideas of democracy the U.S. as soon as championed.
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