Why He Says Dealing with Ukraine is “More Difficult” than Russia

In a surprising revelation, former US President Donald Trump recently stated that he finds it “more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine” than Russia as he attempts to broker peace between the two warring nations. This remark, made during a press interaction in the Oval Office, sheds light on the evolving and often controversial approach of the US towards the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Trump’s comments come at a time when the US has been heavily involved in Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s ongoing invasion, which began in February 2022. However, Trump appears to take a more favorable stance toward Moscow, saying the US is “doing very well with Russia” and suggesting that negotiating with Russia could be easier than dealing with Ukraine.

This position marks a stark contrast to the more traditional stance of US foreign policy, which has supported Ukraine with military aid, intelligence, and sanctions against Russia. Trump’s remarks, therefore, have sparked a renewed debate over the US’s role in the conflict and the future of US-Ukraine relations.

In addition to his comments on Russia, Trump has recently made a bold move by suspending military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine. This action comes after a heated exchange between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, where Trump publicly criticized Zelensky for being “disrespectful” to the US. The diplomatic fallout led to the suspension of satellite imagery access for Ukraine, which is crucial for military intelligence during wartime.

Maxar Technologies, a US-based space technology company, confirmed that the US government had decided to temporarily suspend Ukrainian access to the Global Enhanced GEOINT Delivery (GEGD) program. This program provides high-quality satellite imagery to various governments, and its suspension signals a shift in the US’s support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict.

In an unexpected move, Trump defended Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military actions in Ukraine, despite the massive loss of life and destruction caused by Russia’s attacks. Trump remarked, “I think he’s hitting them [Ukraine] harder than he’s been hitting them,” acknowledging that Putin’s actions could be seen as a natural response to the war.

Trump’s comments are especially significant given the West’s unified stance against Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. NATO allies, in particular, have distanced themselves from Moscow, making Trump’s direct diplomacy with Putin an outlier in Western foreign policy. While Trump did not fully endorse Russia’s actions, he expressed understanding for Putin’s decisions, adding, “I think probably anyone in that position would be doing that right now.”

Trump’s remarks regarding Ukraine have not gone unnoticed. Ukrainian President Zelensky has been pushing for firm security guarantees from the US and its allies, hoping to secure Ukraine’s long-term safety in any peace deal with Russia. Trump’s recent rhetoric, however, suggests he is more focused on pushing for a quick truce with Moscow.

While Trump has suggested that security guarantees could be discussed later, he also remarked that this would be the “easy part” of any potential agreement. The US, under Trump’s guidance, is reportedly seeking a deal that would provide them with a significant stake in Ukraine’s mineral resources in exchange for a ceasefire and peace deal with Russia.

As pressure mounts on Ukrainian leadership, Trump’s senior officials are scheduled to meet with Zelensky’s team next week in Saudi Arabia. The stakes are high, and there is growing international pressure for Zelensky to sign a deal that could end the conflict quickly, even if it means making difficult compromises.

On the other hand, Zelensky remains steadfast in his desire for peace but insists that Russia must bear responsibility for forcing the conflict to an end. In a recent statement, Zelensky said, “Every day, new Russian strikes and reality itself prove that it is Russia that must be forced to peace.”

Zelensky has also sought to mend ties with the US after the public fallout with Trump. Reports suggest that Trump has received a letter from Zelensky expressing “gratitude” and an “apology” for the recent clash, with hopes that relations between the two leaders can be restored.

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While Trump’s foreign policy stance on Ukraine has raised many questions, it is clear that his administration’s approach has significant global implications. Countries like the UK, which have been staunch supporters of Ukraine, are now looking to form a “coalition of the willing” to assist the war-torn nation. These countries are planning larger military expenditures in support of Ukraine’s defense.

Meanwhile, fighting continues on the ground in Ukraine, with reports of ongoing Russian strikes and civilian casualties. In the Donetsk region, five people were killed by Russian troops on Friday, as tensions remain high.