In a sharp departure from typical diplomatic rhetoric, U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly urged Ukraine to adopt offensive military tactics against Russia, declaring that “it is very hard, if not impossible, to win a war without attacking an invader’s country.” He likened the situation to a sports team that cannot win by only defending.
The remarks come amid uncertainty over the prospect of a direct summit between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. While Trump had floated the idea of hosting a trilateral meeting, Moscow has played down the likelihood of such talks happening soon.
Analysts describe the recent Washington summit, attended by Trump, Zelenskyy, and European leaders, as a European-led “damage control” operation designed to reinforce transatlantic unity and counter perceptions of Trump’s closeness to Putin. While the meeting was successful in projecting solidarity, critics note that it produced little progress on territorial disputes or long-term security guarantees.
Meanwhile, Russia has continued to escalate the war. A massive assault involving more than 500 drones and dozens of missiles targeted Ukrainian infrastructure, including a U.S.-owned factory, leaving multiple casualties. Zelenskyy condemned the attack as evidence that Moscow has no genuine interest in peace, urging stronger international sanctions and trade restrictions.
What This Means
Trump’s call for Ukraine to go on the offensive marks a notable departure from earlier caution about strikes inside Russia, raising fears of potential escalation.
On the other hand, the Washington summit helped showcase European solidarity with Ukraine, but the lack of concrete breakthroughs highlights the fragility of the process.
Russia’s ongoing missile and drone attacks during the diplomatic push have reinforced skepticism about Putin’s willingness to engage in genuine negotiations.
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