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U.S. President Donald Trump has finally called Russia the aggressor in the war against Ukraine, demonstrating the toughness of his stance toward Moscow.
Politico reported the statement.
Speaking about the losses of Ukrainian and Russian troops, Trump told reporters on Sunday:
“8,000 soldiers from both countries were killed this week. Slightly more from Russia, but when you are the aggressor, you lose more.”
Earlier, Trump had refused to condemn Moscow for the invasion, and in February his administration, along with Russia and North Korea, rejected a UN resolution supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity and condemning Russia for aggression.
The U.S. also opposed a G7 statement that labeled Russia the aggressor.
In April, Trump even blamed Ukraine for the war, saying: “You can’t start a war against a country 20 times bigger than you and then expect to be given a few missiles.”
However, Trump’s stance toward the Kremlin shifted over the summer, and his administration began exerting increasing pressure on Vladimir Putin as the Russian leader blocked Trump’s efforts to arrange direct peace talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“I stopped seven wars and thought this one would be easy for me, but it turned out to be difficult,” Trump said on Sunday, referring to Russia’s invasion.
As Trump’s tougher position has not compelled Putin to sit down at the negotiating table with Zelenskyy, the U.S. administration is facing growing calls to impose stricter sanctions on Russia.
On Sunday, Trump said he plans to do so — but only after Europe stops buying Russian oil and strengthens its own sanctions regime.
Hungary and Slovakia are the EU’s biggest buyers of Russian energy and have opposed European Commission efforts to phase it out.
Earlier, Trump again said that his patience with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is “wearing thin.”
Read also: Trump Again Criticizes Europe Over Purchases of Russian Oil
