Trump condemns US‑backed missile strikes deep into Russia
Donald Trump, the president-elect of the United States, has expressed opposition to Ukrainian attacks on targets in Russia using American missiles. "It's crazy," he remarked.
In an interview with the weekly "Time," Trump criticised Ukrainian strikes on Russian targets that were conducted with American missiles. On Thursday, "Time" named Trump as its Person of the Year.
"It’s crazy what’s taking place. It’s crazy. I disagree very vehemently with sending missiles hundreds of miles into Russia. Why are we doing that? We’re just escalating this war and making it worse. That should not have been allowed to be done," declared the president-elect.
Members of Trump's inner circle had previously criticised the outgoing administration of Joe Biden for its decision to ease restrictions on long-range Ukrainian attacks. In November, the US administration authorised Ukraine to use American weapons, such as ATACMS missiles with a range of 186 miles, to strike targets deep within Russia. This decision was made in response to the deployment of North Korean soldiers to the Kursk region in Russia, which is partly occupied by Ukrainian forces.
Biden's policy towards Ukraine
In the spring, President Biden agreed to the use of American weapons for strikes in border regions on the Russian side, although this did not include the use of ATACMS and other longer-range missiles. Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin argued that lifting the restrictions would not significantly alter the situation, as Ukraine possesses its own weapons with similar and longer ranges. Moreover, the Russians have relocated some resources, such as bombers used for shelling Ukraine, further into their territory and beyond ATACMS range.
Trump on negotiations with Russia
During his election campaign, Trump claimed he could achieve peace within 24 hours, but in his interview with "Time," he admitted it is a complex task. "I think that the Middle East is an easier problem to handle than what's happening with Russia and Ukraine," he said. "The numbers of dead young soldiers lying on fields all over the place are staggering. It’s crazy what’s taking place."
When asked whether he would limit aid to Ukraine, Trump responded that he would use US aid as leverage to encourage the Kremlin to negotiate. "I want to reach an agreement, and the only way you're going to reach an agreement is not to abandon," said the president-elect.
