The latest Russian airstrike targeting Ukraine has not disheartened U.S. President Donald Trump. The United States remains optimistic that Trump can soon bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.
On Friday night, Russian forces launched 200 missiles and drone strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The strikes hit targets in five regions, damaging residential buildings and injuring residents.
During a briefing at the Oval Office, President Trump stated that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin when he says he wants peace. Trump remarked, “I believe him. I think we are doing very well with Russia. Of course, it is also true that Russia is currently heavily bombing Ukraine.”
Trump added, “I think he (Putin) is hitting harder than before, and perhaps anyone else in his position would do the same.”
Expressing his frustration with Kyiv, Trump said, “To be honest, working with Ukraine is becoming more difficult. They have no cards to play.” When asked if the U.S. is considering providing more air defense to Ukraine, Trump said it depends on Ukraine.
“I need to know if they want an end to the war. I still don’t know that clearly. If they don’t want a settlement, then we will pull out because we want this war to end,” he added.
As part of Trump’s strategy to bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiation table, the U.S. administration has halted military and intelligence support to Ukraine. This move has drawn criticism, with concerns that it might put Ukraine’s security at greater risk.
U.S. officials, however, defended the decision. Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, told Fox News that the pause in intelligence sharing aims to deter Ukraine from launching offensive operations against Russia.
Gabbard also mentioned that if Russia’s attacks put Ukraine at risk of existential danger, intelligence sharing would resume.
A Pentagon official confirmed to Voice of America that there has been no interruption in providing Ukraine with defensive intelligence. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a social media post, acknowledged that U.S.-supplied air defense systems helped intercept many drones and missiles during Friday’s attacks.
On social media platform X, Zelensky stated, “There is extensive work going on with President Trump’s team at various levels, including phone conversations. It is clear—peace is needed as soon as possible and security as reliably as possible. Ukraine is committed to moving forward constructively.”