Trump says he understands the feelings of Russia's NATO opposition to Ukraine
US President-elect Donald Trump said at a speech at his Mar-a-Lago residence on January 7 that he understands Russia's position against Ukraine 's NATO membership.
"Somewhere along the line, Biden said, no, they should be able to join NATO. Well, Russia has somebody right on their doorstep, and I can understand their feelings about that," Trump was quoted as saying by AFP news agency.
The US leader pointed to President Joe Biden 's decision that Ukraine should be able to join NATO. Trump suggested that this could have led to conflict. He noted that people are dying and cities are being destroyed as a result.
In addition, Trump said that he was aware of Vladimir Putin 's willingness to reach out to the United States, but considered it unacceptable before officially returning to the White House. The president-elect added that he cannot yet give an approximate date for a conversation with the Russian president.
On December 27, 2024, it was reported that Trump intends to end the conflict in Ukraine, but probably believes that this is possible if Kiev is strong.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in turn, told reporters on December 26 that Russia intends to end the conflict in Ukraine, not just freeze it.
Trump's team said on December 13 that it was holding talks with Ukrainian officials and the current White House administration on resolving the conflict. Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, then also admitted the end of this crisis in the coming months.
Before that, on December 3, the Kellogg Plan, developed in April, was published, which described a way to end the Ukrainian conflict. According to Trump's special envoy, it is necessary to abandon pressure on Moscow and Kiev, as well as attempts to isolate Russia. In addition, it is necessary to more actively stimulate a peaceful resolution of the crisis. Kellogg suggested keeping the liberated territories for the Russian Federation, easing sanctions and normalizing relations between Washington and Moscow.
Earlier, on October 17, 2024, Trump said that the personal responsibility for the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine lies with the president of this country, Vladimir Zelensky, whose powers expired in May 2024. The Ukrainian leader, according to the Republican, should never have allowed this crisis to begin.
The special operation to protect Donbass, the start of which Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on February 24, 2022, is ongoing. The decision was taken against the backdrop of the worsening situation in the region.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
