As Russia moves into Eastern Ukraine for its so called “peace keeping”, after recognizing the independence of the breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, the rest of the world is responding with overwhelming reactions.
While the United States and its allies are united in their decision to roll out corresponding sanctions against Russia, other countries have remained indifference while Syria has made its support for Russia known.
On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden announced the first tranche of sanctions, which targets Russian banks and sovereign debt among others, against Russia, and promised that the US and its allies will respond as necessary if Russia goes further with the invasion.
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Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine has for many weeks, become a matter of utmost concern, as the US and Europe take necessary steps to avert a full blown conflict. The conflict has put Russian President Vladimir Putin at the receiving end of global backlash.
However, as world leaders take a swipe at Putin, there is one who thinks his decision to invade Ukraine is a very smart move – his friend, former president of the United States Donald Trump.
In an interview with Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show, Trump berated Biden’s handling of the Ukraine crisis and boasted that Russia wouldn’t have invaded Ukraine if he were still president, but not before describing Putin’s move as “genius” and calling him “savvy.”
“I went in yesterday and there was a television screen, and I said, “This is genius.” Putin declares a big portion of the Ukraine — of Ukraine. Putin declares it as independent. Oh, that’s wonderful.
“So, Putin is now saying, “It’s independent,” a large section of Ukraine. I said, “How smart is that?” And he’s gonna go in and be a peacekeeper. That’s strongest peace force… That’s the strongest peace force I’ve ever seen. There were more army tanks than I’ve ever seen. They’re gonna keep peace all right. No, but think of it. Here’s a guy who’s very savvy… I know him very well. Very, very well,” Trump said.
Trump said Biden’s response to the situation in Ukraine is “no response” and pointed at the pull out of American forces from Afghanistan, which he described as disastrous. But he maintained that the situation would have been different if he were the president.
“By the way, this never would have happened with us. Had I been in office, not even thinkable. This would never have happened…,” he said. “I knew Putin very well I got along with him great. He liked me. I liked him. I mean, you know, he’s a tough cookie, got a lot of the great charm and a lot of pride. But the way he — and he loves his country, you know? Ye loves his country. He’s acting a little differently I think now.”
“I think he sees this opportunity. I knew that he always wanted Ukraine. I used to talk to him about it. I said, “You can’t do it. You’re not gonna do it.” But I could see that he wanted it. I used to ask him. We used to talk about it at length. I think nobody probably knows him better in terms of the discussions that we have or that we’re having this morning.”
After blaming Biden for the rise in oil price, which he said has leaped significantly from the $40 where he left it, putting a lot of money into Russia’s pocket, Trump said the next invasion will be China invading Taiwan, though they wouldn’t have done it with him as the president.
“I got to know President Xi. By the way, China is gonna be next… Oh, yeah. They’re waiting ’til after the Olympics. Now the Olympics have ended, and look at your stopwatch, right? No, he wants that just like… It’s almost like twin sisters right here because you have one that wants Taiwan, I think, equally badly. Somebody said, “Who wants it more?” I think probably equally badly. But, no, Putin would have never done it, and Xi would have never done it. And also, North Korea has not acted up for four years,” Trump said.