Former US President Donald Trump suggested that it might be advantageous for the Russia-Ukraine conflict to continue for some time, despite calls from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for increased US pressure on Russia.
During a meeting with Merz at the White House, Trump acknowledged the deep-seated animosity between the two sides, indicating that an immediate ceasefire seems unlikely. He compared the conflict to hockey, saying, “Sometimes you let them fight for a little while. You see it in sports. The referees let them go for a couple of seconds—let them go before pulling them apart.”
Merz expressed optimism, stating, “America is again in a very strong position to end this war,” and emphasized the need for more pressure on Russia. Trump responded by saying that no new sanctions on Russia are imminent but hinted at potential measures against both Russia and Ukraine, remarking, “It takes two to tango.” He added that he would take a tough stance when the moment was right, possibly imposing sanctions on both countries.
Earlier, Trump warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that he is “playing with fire,” highlighting the ongoing conflict’s unresolved nature. Writing on Truth Social, Trump reiterated that, without his influence, “lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia.”
He also criticized both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, expressing dissatisfaction with Putin’s actions and questioning what led to his current stance. Before departing for Washington, Trump told reporters he was “not happy with what Putin’s doing” and questioned, “What the hell happened to Putin?”