Trump's aides push tougher stance on Putin amid Ukraine crisis
Advisers to U.S. President Donald Trump are advocating for a firmer approach towards the Kremlin, citing Putin's lack of interest in stopping the conflict in Ukraine, as reported by the "Wall Street Journal."
What do you need to know?
- Trump's advisers: Senior advisers to U.S. President, including Marco Rubio and Keith Kellogg, are recommending a more sceptical view of Russia and its intentions regarding peace.
What are the differences in Trump's advisers' approach?
According to sources from the "WSJ," a group of advisers to U.S. President Donald Trump, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg, are urging a tougher stance against the Kremlin. These advisers stress that Vladimir Putin has not yet demonstrated a genuine interest in ending the conflict in Ukraine. Trump's associates recommend exercising greater caution in negotiations with Putin and adopting a more resolute approach to Russian territorial demands.
Will the U.S. strengthen sanctions on Russia?
In White House discussions regarding a potential increase in sanctions on Russia, Marco Rubio and Keith Kellogg advised Trump to be cautious in evaluating Putin's intentions. Former U.S. ambassador to Poland, Daniel Fried, stated that the State Department and the Treasury are preparing various options for escalating sanctions pressure on Russia. However, these departments have not commented on these reports.
What are the reactions to the attack on Sumy?
The Sunday attack on Sumy, in which 35 civilians were killed and more than 100 were injured, underscored the differences in Trump's advisers' approaches to Russia. The U.S. President described the attack as terrible but noted it is not his war, attributing it to his predecessor, Joe Biden. Keith Kellogg assessed that the attack crosses all boundaries, while Marco Rubio offered condolences to the victims, emphasising that the attack demonstrates why the Trump administration seeks to end the war.
