The new US president made the comments as Russia was hit by a huge Ukranian drone strike – with reports of a 250-kilogram bomb exploding on a military factory with 4,300 employees
Donald Trump has accused Vladimir Putin of “destroying Russia” by failing to make a deal that would put an end to the devastation suffered in its war on Ukraine.
The new US president came close to calling the Kremlin dictator a loser as he told reporters: “He has to make a deal. I think he is destroying Russia by not making a deal. I think Russia is going to be in big trouble.”
His comments came just as Ukraine staged a massive drone strike which hit a Russian military plant – and ignited a major oil storage supplying the armed forces. In Smolensk, western Russia, a sanctioned aviation plant appeared to be ablaze with a mushroom cloud rising above it as 20 explosions thundered through the city.
According to one report, a 250-kilogram bomb hit the military factory with 4,300 employees. An alarmed expletive-laden female voice watching the strike said: “They’re flying….. low. Holy ****…. **** it’s flying, I’m in shock.”
Speaking about the three-year long conflict between Russia and Ukraine, President Trump slammed Putin, saying he “can’t be thrilled that he’s not doing so well.” He added: “I mean, he works hard, but most people thought the war would be over in about a week, and now it’s been three years, right?”
The Russian economy was also sinking, with inflation still a major threat, Trump added. Putin, 72, earlier said he was ready to engage with Trump but still insisted on an outcome favouring Russia. “We are open to dialogue with the new U.S. administration on the Ukrainian conflict. The most important thing here is to eliminate the root causes of the crisis,” said the Russian ruler. An initial phone call between the two leaders is expected to take place soon.
Trump said Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky was ready for a deal to halt the debilitating conflict, and that he was set to meet Putin with whom he had a “great relationship” during his first term. “We’re going to try to do it as quickly as possible. You know, the war between Russia and Ukraine should never have started.” He also joked about his campaign promise to end the conflict in 24 hours. “That’s only half a day. I have the other half of the day. We’ll see.”
His new Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration could not put a timeline on ending the war. “Whenever you end a war between two sides where neither side can achieve its maximum objectives, each side is going to have to give up something,” he said.
Today’s strikes were the third attack on Putin military aircraft plants in five weeks. A total of 55 Ukrainian drones hit six regions of Russia, with explosions heard in Rostov, Saratov and Belgorod. Trump’s words were likely to be interpreted negatively in Moscow, where there had been hopes he would put huge pressure on Kyiv.
In a move that hit Ukraine, Trump announced suspension of all US foreign aid for 90 days pending an assessment on whether it complies with American national interests and goals. Putin told the Russian security council in response to Trump’s inauguration: “We see statements by the newly elected President of the United States and members of his team about the desire to restore direct contacts with Russia, which were interrupted by the outgoing Administration through no fault of our own.
“We also hear his statements about the need to do everything possible to prevent a Third World War. Of course, we welcome this attitude and congratulate the President-elect of the United States of America on his assumption of office. I would like to stress that we have never refused to engage in dialogue and have always been ready to maintain smooth and cooperative relations with any American administration, as I have said on numerous occasions.
“We assume that the dialogue will be built on an equal and mutually respectful basis, taking into account the significant role played by our countries on a number of key issues on the global agenda, including the strengthening of strategic stability and security. We are also open for dialogue with the new US Administration on the Ukrainian conflict. The most important thing here is to eliminate the root causes of the crisis….”
He said the “goal should not be a brief ceasefire, not some kind of respite for regrouping forces and rearmament for the subsequent continuation of the conflict, but a long-term peace based on respect for the legitimate interests of all people, all peoples who live in this region…. “Of course we will fight for the interests of Russia, for the interests of the Russian people. This, in fact, is the purpose and meaning of the special military operation [war]. Let us return or, to be more precise, start working on the agenda, please.”
