President Donald Trump expressed understanding on Friday for Russia’s increased attacks on Ukraine after the White House halted military and intelligence aid to Kyiv this week, saying he would resume assistance only when Ukrainian leaders agreed that “they want to settle.”
The U.S. cutoff of aid has made Ukraine significantly more vulnerable. Without U.S. intelligence to aid targeting or warn of Russian attacks, the Kremlin launched a massive missile assault on Ukraine overnight from Thursday to Friday.
“I actually think he’s doing what anybody else would do,” Trump said in the Oval Office when asked whether he was upset that Russian President Vladimir Putin was taking advantage of the halt in U.S. aid. “Probably anybody in that position would be doing that right now. He wants to get it ended. And I think Ukraine wants to get it ended, but I don’t see. It’s crazy. They’re taking tremendous punishment. I don’t quite get it.”
Trump was asked whether he would consider increasing aid to Ukraine amid the Russian assault by providing more air defense munitions, which would be purely defensive and not enable Ukrainian attacks on Russian positions.
Trump indicated he would not provide that assistance. “I have to know that they want to settle. I don’t know that they want to settle. If they don’t want to settle, we’re out of there.”
Trump’s goal to ‘stop death’
Trump said his goal was to “stop death,” even as Russia’s overnight assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure injured at least eight people.
His sympathetic comments toward Putin contrasted with a social media post hours earlier threatening “large-scale” sanctions on Russia over the attack. Trump also urged the Kremlin to negotiate.
“Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large-scale banking sanctions, sanctions, and tariffs on Russia until a cease-fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you!!!”
Trump has rarely criticized Putin, and when asked to expand on his social media post during an Oval Office exchange with reporters on Friday, he declined. Instead, he said he still believed Putin when the Russian leader said he wanted peace.
“I believe him,” Trump said. “I think we’re doing very well with Russia, and right now, they’re bombing the hell out of Ukraine. I’m finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine. They don’t have the cards.”
‘Gambling with World War Three’
Since taking office, Trump has harshly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and falsely claimed Ukraine – not Russia – started the war. An Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy last week ended with Trump and Vice President JD Vance berating the Ukrainian leader. Vance declared Zelenskyy was insufficiently grateful to Trump, and Trump accused Zelenskyy of “gambling with World War Three.”
Days later, Trump cut off U.S. military and intelligence assistance to Kyiv. The wide-ranging halt has partially blinded Ukraine’s military, even blocking access to commercially available satellite imagery under the U.S. ban.
Maxar, a leading U.S. provider of commercial satellite imagery, said on Friday it had cut off a stream of assistance to Ukraine at the direction of the Trump administration. The U.S. funds a contract providing Ukraine access to Maxar’s orbital imaging services through a program called Global Enhanced GEOINT Delivery.
The halt also affected other commercial satellite companies producing imagery under the program, a U.S. official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. It was unclear when or whether services would resume.
The suspension was immediately felt by Ukrainian soldiers, who rely on fresh imagery to plan attacks, study terrain and assess artillery strikes.
Ukrainian and U.S. officials are scheduled to meet on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia to try to mend relations and discuss negotiations with Russia. The U.S. delegation is expected to include Trump’s friend and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Michael Waltz.
Minerals deal
Zelenskyy has expressed willingness to sign a minerals deal granting the U.S. partial access to Ukraine’s natural resources to strengthen economic ties and promote stability. Zelenskyy was supposed to sign the deal with Trump last week but was instead kicked out of the White House.
On the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly vowed to end the war in Ukraine swiftly – claiming he could do so within 24 hours of taking office or even before his inauguration because of his influence over Russian and Ukrainian leaders. But the war continues.
Trump has faced criticism for pressuring Ukraine while engaging in talks with Russia. European leaders have voiced alarm over the shift in U.S.-Russia relations since Trump took office, fearing he will make concessions to Putin and embolden him.
Ukrainian officials reported multiple regions were hit by missiles and drones, with natural gas production facilities in the Poltava region knocked out of commission. Missiles in the northeastern city of Kharkiv damaged at least 30 houses and injured eight people. The assault followed a major drone attack the night before.
Ukraine’s air force said 67 missiles were fired in the latest attack, accompanied by 194 drones.
Energy Minister German Galushchenko wrote on Facebook, “Russia is trying to hurt ordinary Ukrainians by striking energy and gas production facilities, without abandoning its goal of leaving us without light and heat and causing the greatest harm to ordinary citizens.”