President-elect Donald Trump expressed strong opposition to Ukraine’s use of US-supplied long-range missiles to strike deep into Russian territory, saying in an interview published Thursday that he disagrees “very vehemently” with the tactic.
The interview with Time Magazine, in which Trump was named “Person of the Year,” marked a significant moment in his stance on the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Trump specifically criticized the use of the ATACMS missiles, which have a maximum range of 190 miles (300 kilometers) and were supplied by the US to help Ukraine in its fight against Russian forces.
The strikes have provoked sharp retaliations from Moscow, which has responded with hypersonic missiles of its own.
“Why are we doing that?” Trump questioned, underscoring his concerns about escalating the war.
Although he expressed reservations about the missile strikes, Trump emphasized that he would not abandon Ukraine entirely, recognizing that US support remains a crucial factor in efforts to end the war.
“I want to reach an agreement and the only way you’re going to reach an agreement is not to abandon [Ukraine],” Trump said, stressing that US backing would be used as leverage to bring about a peaceful resolution.
Trump’s comments came before a Thanksgiving meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, brokered by French President Emmanuel Macron, on the sidelines of the reopening of the Notre Dame cathedral.
Despite his criticisms, Trump made it clear that he does not intend to sever ties with Ukraine but instead seeks to balance military support with diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
The remarks have already drawn significant attention, particularly from Russian media outlets, which have highlighted Trump’s apparent critique of Ukraine’s missile strategy, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing geopolitical discourse.