Donald Trump
Susan Walsh, File/Associated Press
Trump was a former President and has frequently boasted about his close relationship to Putin. The two had many meetings during Trump’s presidency. Trump frequently flatters Putin’s Russian leader, disregarding reports. Murdered dissidents fraud-filled elections,Election interference
After Russia’s unprovoked invasion, this was pretty much the same. Trump opposed the attack while most of the world condemned it. Putin’s justification for invasion was highly praised as “genius” and “savvy.”
Trump appeared to have taken the presidency last month. Putin should not be blamed for the invasion. Instead, it should be placed on the shoulders of the US leadership — exactly where the Russian president says it belongs. Trump also attempted to score political points by blaming Putin for his invasion. He claimed without any basis that it would have been prevented if he were still president.
Trump said that he was taunted by them, and that he had been taunted by our country and our leadership. “I would listen. They’re almost forcing him into what they’re saying. It was just so stupid.”
Putin has tried to blame his invasion of Ukraine on Western leaders, and the eastward expansion of NATO, framing it as a defensive operation intended to save the Russian people and their way of life — and Trump’s comments fall directly in line with that narrative. Putin tried to discredit Ukraine’s elected leadership and claimed it isn’t a country.
Trump also supported a Ukraine/Russia peace deal, after Putin threatened with nuclear weapons. He played into Putin’s plans in ways that some might not have expected. Experts described it as “dangerous”.
Trump spokesperson could not be reached immediately for comment.
