US President Donald Trump issued a cryptic warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, suggesting that his own leadership helped to prevent serious consequences for Russia – the consequences that could be much worse.
In Social’s Truth, Trump wrote: “What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realize is that if it wasn’t for me, Russia would have happened many really bad things and I mean really bad. He plays with fire!”
The message, vague, but sharply formulated, comes in the middle of renewed Russian missiles and drones of attacks on Ukrainian cities and continued its western support of Kiev. Trump did not specify what was “really bad things”, but the tone of the contribution suggests that it is considered to be previously restrictive actions that Russia could seriously harm – perhaps through diplomacy, American policy or military restrictions.
The post comes in the middle of reinforced fighting in Ukraine and increasing the global control of Moscow military actions. Trump often criticized Biden’s management of the treatment of Russia-Ukraine and claimed that he could completely prevent the conflict.
No Kremlin’s answer so far
The Kremlin did not respond to Trump’s notes. It remains unclear whether the contribution was to push Putin or serve as a warning about future consequences if the conflict continued to escalate.
The contribution contributes to the growing list of public statements Trump, which seeks to place it as a global energy broker – and the only one who is able to keep personalities like Putin under control.
Potential new sanctions
The contribution also comes at a time when the US is considering new sanctions over intensive Russian attacks on missile and drones to Ukraine.
Trump signaled that he could soon move forward with new sanctions to Russia to increase the pressure on the Kremlin. He said he would “absolutely” consider other measures, but have so far resisted the challenges of Republicans and the European Senate leaders to impose harder punishments.
The escalation of Russian attacks
Despite the ongoing international efforts to mediate peace, Russia has mediated its air attacks. In recent days, Moscow has launched hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles aimed at several places in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Green said that Russia started about 900 drones this weekend.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said it caught 99 Ukrainian drones in seven Russian regions overnight, while Moscow accused Kyiv of an attempt to “disrupt” peace efforts and justified its attacks as a “reaction” to Ukrainian drone strikes to Russian civilians.
Peace talks will stop
This increase in violence comes despite the phone call eight days ago between Trump and Putin, during which Trump claimed that Putin agreed to “immediately” start interviews about the ceasefire. The only tangible progress from peace interviews in Turkey between 16 May between Russian and Ukrainian delegations was a great exchange of prisoners, without significant breakthroughs in negotiations.
Trump urged both sides to engage in discussions on a ceasefire through the Vatican, and emphasize the need for diplomacy at increasing tension.
Kremlin reaction
The recent increase in Russian bombing has attracted sharp criticism from Trump, who said Putin was “crazy”. The Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded by convicting what he called the “emotional reaction” to the developed events.
(Tagstotranslate) Trump Warning of Putin
