Vladimir Putin is currently trending in Russia, but not for reasons one might expect. The spotlight has shifted to former U.S. President Donald Trump, whose recent comments about Ukraine and Russia have ignited a firestorm of criticism. Trumpโs statements, which many see as undermining Ukraineโs sovereignty while praising Putin, have raised eyebrows globally.
In a shocking claim, Trump asserted that Russia could have captured Kyiv “in four hours” during its full-scale invasion but didnโt because “it was raining” and because he had provided Ukraine with Javelin missiles during his presidency. This bizarre justification has been widely mocked and condemned, with experts pointing out that Ukraineโs fierce resistanceโnot weather or a handful of weaponsโstopped Russiaโs advance.
Additionally, reports suggest that Trump, if re-elected, plans to exclude Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from negotiations with Putin, effectively sidelining Ukraine in decisions about its own future. This aligns with Trumpโs past admiration for Putin and his repeated claims that he could “end the war in 24 hours”โa statement critics argue would come at the cost of Ukrainian territory and sovereignty.
The reaction has been fierce. Ukrainian officials and Western allies warn that such an approach would embolden Putin and reward Russian aggression. Meanwhile, in Russia, state media is gleefully amplifying Trumpโs remarks, using them to fuel propaganda about Western division and Ukraineโs supposed weakness.
As the 2024 U.S. election looms, Trumpโs rhetoric is causing alarm among Ukraineโs supporters, who fear a potential shift in American policy that could leave Kyiv vulnerable. For now, Putinโs name trending in Russia serves as a stark reminder of how deeply U.S. politics can influence global conflicts.
