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File photo: US President-elect Donald Trump (Picture credit: AP)
US President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday voiced his strong opposition to Ukraine's use of US-supplied long-range missiles for strikes deep into Russian territory.
Speaking to Time magazine in an interview marking his designation as "Person of the Year," Trump called the practice "crazy," suggesting it worsens the ongoing war.
"It's crazy what's taking place. It's crazy. I disagree very vehemently with sending missiles hundreds of miles into Russia. Why are we doing that? We're just escalating this war and making it worse," he said.
These comments follow President Joe Biden's recent decision to lift a US ban on Ukraine deploying long-range missiles like the ATACMS. This move, which Kyiv had been advocating for, was reportedly in response to Russia deploying 15,000 North Korean troops along the battlefront, according to Reuters.
While Trump criticised the missile strikes, he assured that he would not abandon Ukraine. "I want to reach an agreement, and the only way you're going to reach an agreement is not to abandon," he emphasised.
Trump has repeatedly mentioned his intention to end the nearly three-year-old conflict swiftly but has been vague on specifics, saying his "very good plan" would lose value if revealed prematurely.
As reported by AFP, Trump reiterated that Washington’s support for Ukraine remains crucial and could serve as leverage to negotiate an end to the war. However, his stance has sparked concerns in Kyiv, where officials worry about the potential terms of any peace deal.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently met Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, where he stressed Ukraine's need for robust security guarantees. Zelensky also highlighted the staggering human toll on both sides, aligning with Trump’s comments on the urgent need to halt the bloodshed.
The war continues to escalate, with Russia recently deploying its Oreshnik hypersonic missile as a retaliatory measure to Ukraine's strikes on Russian territory. Meanwhile, the US announced a $988 million arms package for Ukraine last Saturday, further solidifying its support.
Asked whether he had contacted Russian President Vladimir Putin since the election, Trump declined to comment, calling it "inappropriate." The war appears to be entering a critical and dangerous phase, with both sides ramping up their military efforts.
