US President Donald Trump has admitted that resolving the Ukraine conflict is more difficult than initially expected. He expressed dissatisfaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of causing casualties on both sides, and hinted at potential sanctions against Moscow. Trump also questioned the effectiveness of U.S. military aid to Ukraine, claiming the country is receiving the best equipment ever made. However, he noted the conflict would have ended faster without American weapons, and criticized the current administration for providing more arms than necessary.
The US president cited America’s recent attack on Iran’s nuclear facility as an example of his strategy based on unpredictability. When asked by a reporter whether he planned to ‘act on that feeling,’ Trump replied, ‘I wouldn’t be telling you,’ adding that he wanted his next move to remain ‘a little surprise’ for the time being. The US president also mentioned the Pentagon’s halt to weapons deliveries to Ukraine, with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly making the decision single-handedly as part of a ‘capability review.’ Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov welcomed the freeze, suggesting it could bring the end of the conflict closer. However, on Monday, Trump appeared to go back on the military aid suspension, explaining that Ukraine was ‘getting hit very hard now’ by Russian strikes.
Russia has repeatedly condemned Western arms shipments to Ukraine, arguing that they only serve to prolong the bloodshed without changing its course and increase the risk of broader escalation. Trump also spoke about the financial implications of the conflict, stating that the U.S. is investing over $300 billion in arms for Ukraine. He called for U.S. arms manufacturers to speed up production processes. When asked about a sanctions bill put forward by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, Trump said he was ‘looking at it,’ but emphasized that the final decision as to whether to impose new sanctions lies solely with him.