Trump's team urges tougher stance on Putin amid Ukraine crisis
Advisors to U.S. President Donald Trump are advocating for a tougher stance on the Kremlin, emphasizing Putin's lack of interest in ending the conflict in Ukraine, as reported by the "Wall Street Journal."
What do you need to know?
- Trump's advisors: High-ranking advisors to President Trump, including Marco Rubio and Keith Kellogg, recommend a more skeptical approach to Russia and its peace intentions.
- Attack on Sumy: The Sunday attack on Sumy, which resulted in 35 civilian deaths, highlighted differences among Trump's advisors regarding their approach to Russia.
- Sanctions on Russia: The U.S. State Department and the Treasury are considering increasing sanctions on Russia to push it towards negotiation.
What are the differences in Trump's advisors' approach?
According to "WSJ" sources, a group of advisors to President Trump, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg, are pushing for a tougher stance towards the Kremlin. These advisors stress that Vladimir Putin has yet to demonstrate genuine interest in resolving the conflict in Ukraine. They recommend greater caution in negotiations with Putin and a firmer approach to Russian territorial demands.
Will the U.S. strengthen sanctions on Russia?
During White House discussions on possibly strengthening sanctions on Russia, Marco Rubio and Keith Kellogg advised Trump to be wary of Putin's intentions. Former U.S. ambassador to Poland Daniel Fried announced that the State Department and the Treasury are preparing various options to increase sanctions pressure on Russia. However, these departments have not commented on these reports.
What are the reactions to the attack on Sumy?
The Sunday attack on Sumy, which killed 35 civilians and injured more than 100, highlighted differences among Trump's advisors regarding their approach to Russia. The U.S. President called the attack terrible but noted that it is not his war, but that of his predecessor, Joe Biden. Keith Kellogg stated that the attack crosses all boundaries, while Marco Rubio offered condolences to the victims, emphasizing that the attack underscores why the Trump administration seeks to end the war.
