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. Trumpβs statements, which many see as undermining Ukraineβs 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 didnβt 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 Ukraineβs fierce resistanceβnot weather or a handful of weaponsβstopped Russiaβs 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 Trumpβs past admiration for Putin and his repeated claims that he could “end the war in 24 hours”βa 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 Trumpβs remarks, using them to fuel propaganda about Western division and Ukraineβs supposed weakness.
As the 2024 U.S. election looms, Trumpβs rhetoric is causing alarm among Ukraineβs supporters, who fear a potential shift in American policy that could leave Kyiv vulnerable. For now, Putinβs name trending in Russia serves as a stark reminder of how deeply U.S. politics can influence global conflicts.
