US President Donald Trump on Friday said he finds it “easier” to deal with Russia than Ukraine in managing the ongoing war, citing his trust in Vladimir Putin. “I believe him,” Trump stated during a televised White House press conference, shortly after a tense Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vice President JD Vance.
“I’m finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine, and they don’t have the cards,” Trump said. “It may be easier dealing with Russia.”
Despite announcing potential new sanctions on Moscow earlier in the day, Trump appeared to justify Russia’s intensified bombing campaign across Ukraine. “I actually think he’s doing what anybody in that position would be doing right now,” he said, referring to Putin.
Trump, who has long boasted of his relationship with the Russian leader, doubled down on his stance. “I’ve always had a good relationship with Putin. And you know, he wants to end the war,” he claimed. “I think he’s going to be more generous than he has to be, and that’s pretty good. That means a lot of good things.”
The remarks come as Trump intensifies pressure on Ukraine, ordering a temporary freeze on US military and intelligence support to Kyiv. He also suggested that Ukraine must be willing to negotiate. “I don’t know that they want to settle. If they don’t want to settle, we’re out of there because we want them to settle. I’m doing it to stop death,” he said.
How much of Ukraine’s aid comes from the US?
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, the US has provided Ukraine with more than $180 billion in assistance, including over $66.5 billion in military aid. Washington supplies around 20% of Ukraine’s military resources, including key weapons like longer-range missiles and Patriot air defense systems.
