"I think what Russia is doing is disgusting. This is Biden's war, not mine. As I've said, if I were back, I would try to end this," former US President Donald Trump said at the White House on 31/7/2025.
Trump reiterated his plan to impose new sanctions on Russia if the conflict continues, but also expressed skepticism about their effectiveness.
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Former US President Donald Trump speaks at the White House on 31/7/2025. Photo: AP |
"I don't know if the sanctions bother him. They're used to it," Trump said, seemingly referring to the Russian president. "I understand sanctions, tariffs, and all that stuff better than anybody. I don't know if it works, but we're going to do it anyway."
Russian officials have not yet commented on Trump's remarks.
Trump spoke out after Ukrainian officials said Russian forces launched 8 cruise missiles and over 300 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at Kyiv early on 31/7/2025, killing at least 16 people.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the attack targeted military airfields, ammunition depots, and facilities related to the Ukrainian defense industry.
According to some military news sites linked to the Russian military, two of the targets were Zhuliany International Airport, where the Ukrainian military deployed Patriot air defense missile systems to protect Kyiv, and the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute.
Russia and Ukraine recently resumed direct negotiations, but no progress has been made on a ceasefire, only on a prisoner exchange agreement.
On 28/7/2025, Trump declared that Russia had 10-12 days to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, two weeks after he issued an ultimatum that Moscow must reach an agreement to end the war within 50 days or face severe sanctions.
Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, said Trump was going in the wrong direction by issuing an ultimatum to Russia, warning that this approach could lead to war. The Kremlin said Russia is committed to peace but asserted that the operation in Ukraine has not stopped, noting that efforts to restore relations with the US have slowed following Trump's comments.
Nhu Tam (According to AFP, Reuters)
