The American president’s preference for praising and excusing the Russian leader has yielded no progress toward peace in Ukraine.
President Trump has described President Vladimir V. Putin as “savvy” and “genius” for invading Ukraine, while bragging about his “very, very good relationship” with the autocratic Russian leader.
Mr. Trump has helped the Kremlin recast Ukraine as the villain rather than the victim in the war, and has publicly berated President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine in the Oval Office and blamed him for starting the conflict and undermining peace negotiations.
But four months into his term, Mr. Trump’s preference for praising and excusing Mr. Putin has not stopped the bloodshed in a war he once bragged he would end in just 24 hours.
President Trump has described President Vladimir V. Putin as “savvy” and “genius” for invading Ukraine, while bragging about his “very, very good relationship” with the autocratic Russian leader.
Mr. Trump has helped the Kremlin recast Ukraine as the villain rather than the victim in the war, and has publicly berated President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine in the Oval Office and blamed him for starting the conflict and undermining peace negotiations.
But four months into his term, Mr. Trump’s preference for praising and excusing Mr. Putin has not stopped the bloodshed in a war he once bragged he would end in just 24 hours.