Trump's statements on Ukraine exceeded Kremlin's expectations - Bloomberg
Photo: Putin intends to make the most of Trump's statements (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump's harsh statements against Ukraine in recent days have exceeded all of the Kremlin's expectations. Moscow intends to make the most of the situation, Bloomberg reports.
According to the agency's sources, even the Kremlin was caught off guard by the harsh tone of Trump's comments, which Vladimir Putin had not allowed himself to hear. The criticism exceeded all expectations in Moscow that Washington's opinion on the war could be turned in Russia's favor.
Although Russian officials do not fully understand Trump's negotiating strategy and fear traps and unexpected turns of events, they should seize the chance to extract the maximum possible benefits for Russia from any agreement to end the conflict, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Trump's statements and Europe's reaction
The US president supported the Kremlin's version of events, calling Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “dictator.” Trump told the Ukrainian leader that he better act fast to reach a deal with Russia, otherwise, he wouldn't have a country.
Trump's comments provoked an immediate and sharp reaction from European leaders.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said it was simply wrong and dangerous to deny Zelenskyy's democratic legitimacy. He added that Ukraine had been defending itself against ruthless Russian aggression for almost three years
Scholz's conservative opponent in Sunday's German elections, Friedrich Merz, also supported the Ukrainian President, adding that as long as the Russian president is in power through sham elections, we stand on the side of democracy.
European leaders are scrambling to come up with a strategy to secure a potential ceasefire in Ukraine after bilateral US-Russian talks in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. But so far they have not been invited to participate in the talks, and they have not yet decided who will speak on their behalf.
European capitals reacted with shock to Trump's abrupt turn, while trying to reassure Kyiv of the continent's support and appease Washington.
The prospect of the United States ending its military and financial support for Ukraine, especially as peace talks begin without the participation of Europe or Kyiv, has forced a rethinking of the European security architecture. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will travel to Washington next week to discuss Ukraine and defense.
