Trump administration drops unexpected statement on Ukraine
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump, Presidents of Ukraine and the US (RBC-Ukraine collage)
The Trump administration wants to keep standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine as Ukrainians seek peace, US Deputy State Department Spokesperson Mignon Houston said in a comment to Postimees.
"This administration wants a long, lasting, enduring peace in the region. We want to continue standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine as Ukraine calls for a ceasefire that is comprehensive, that is full, that halts any assault on civilians, on critical infrastructure," Houston said.
The Trump administration has usually been cautious in its statements about Ukraine and the war Russia started. After Trump returned to office, the White House and State Department avoided direct support for Ukraine, focusing instead on attempts to negotiate peace with Moscow.
Trump shifts his stance on the war in Ukraine
During his election campaign, Trump promised to quickly end Russia's war against Ukraine if he returned to the White House. But after resuming office, he has failed to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt the invasion.
Russia ignored Trump's call for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire to negotiate peace. Ukraine supported the initiative.
In late July, Trump gave Russia a 50-day deadline to stop military operations against Ukraine. He later shortened it to 10 days. Now, Russia has until August 8 to halt the offensive or face new sanctions, Trump warned.
Meanwhile, Trump sent his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow. US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said Witkoff's visit could lead to progress.
