Donald Trump, in a recent Time Magazine interview has expressed strong opposition to Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied missiles for deep strikes into Russian territory, hinting at a possible shift in American policy toward the conflict.
The interview coincided with Trump being named Time’s Person of the Year and offered insights into how his administration might approach the nearly three-year-long war between Ukraine and Russia.
During the interview, Trump described the situation as “crazy” and expressed vehement disagreement with Ukraine’s use of U.S.-provided long-range missiles for operations inside Russia.
“It’s crazy what’s taking place. It’s crazy,” Trump said. “I disagree very vehemently with sending missiles hundreds of miles into Russia. Why are we doing that? We’re just escalating this war and making it worse. That should not have been allowed to be done.”
His remarks come in the wake of President Joe Biden’s decision last month to lift a ban on Ukraine’s use of longer-range missiles, including U.S.-supplied ATACMS and British Storm Shadows, to target Russian territory.
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This policy change followed urgent pleas from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and was justified by the Biden administration as a response to Russia’s deployment of 15,000 North Korean troops to the battlefront.
Trump has repeatedly stated his intention to bring a swift end to the conflict, though he has been notably vague about the details of his plan. In the interview, he claimed to have a “very good plan” to resolve the war but declined to share specifics, saying, “If I reveal it now, it becomes almost a worthless plan.”
When asked if he would cut U.S. military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine if Kyiv did not agree to a peace deal, Trump remained noncommittal but reiterated his desire for a resolution. “I want to reach an agreement, and the only way you’re going to reach an agreement is not to abandon,” he said.
Trump acknowledged the complexities introduced by North Korean troops’ involvement, calling it a “very complicating factor.”
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Trump’s statements have raised concerns in Kyiv, where leaders worry that his approach could result in a resolution favoring Moscow.
During a recent meeting in Paris with Zelenskiy and French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump discussed the war’s future and Ukraine’s need for security guarantees in any negotiated peace. Zelenskiy, who has long sought NATO membership for Ukraine, emphasized the importance of such guarantees in protecting Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Meanwhile, the conflict shows no signs of abating, with some analysts predicting that it is entering its most dangerous phase yet. Russian forces have been advancing at their fastest pace since the early weeks of the war, bolstered by increasingly aggressive military tactics.
On November 21, Russia launched a hypersonic ballistic missile, known as the Oreshnik, targeting the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Russian President Vladimir Putin framed the attack as a retaliatory move after Ukraine’s first use of Western-supplied missiles against Russian territory.
Despite Trump’s critical comments, the United States continues to provide substantial military support to Ukraine. Just days ago, the Biden administration announced a $988 million aid package, including advanced air defense systems and other critical military equipment. Washington has also confirmed that additional air defense exports are en route to Kyiv, aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s ability to repel Russian attacks.
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