Escalation could help end war in Ukraine - Trump

Ukraine’s long-range strikes against russia, the aggressor nation, constitute an escalation that could help create the conditions for ending the war in Ukraine. US President Donald Trump made this statement during a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara on Wednesday, July 8.

Trump noted that he believes the war in Ukraine could end in the near future. According to him, Ukraine’s recent strikes on targets inside russia represent an escalation of the war that could help create the conditions for its end.

“This is an escalation, but it’s also an escalation that could help bring the war to an end,” the US president said.

Trump’s comments echoed statements made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio just minutes earlier regarding Ukraine’s growing ability to strike targets deep inside russia.

"I think you’re referring to Ukraine’s ability to penetrate deep into Russia to launch strikes. I think this is one of the dynamics that has changed in... this war over the past few months, precisely because it is becoming increasingly difficult for the Russians to defend their own airspace," Rubio said.

The US Secretary of State emphasized that he hopes this will create an opening for negotiations to end this war.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, on July 7, US President Donald Trump stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and russian dictator vladimir putin both want to reach an agreement.