Trump Declines to Blame Putin for Ukraine War, Questions Starlink Restrictions

Former President Donald Trump has declined to directly blame Russian President Vladimir Putin for initiating the war in Ukraine, stating his primary goal is to end the conflict. Trump, speaking as he departed the White House for a campaign rally, suggested the situation was not straightforward and that he would reveal details at a later time.

"I know the details, OK, and at some point I'll release the details," Trump said. "But I don't care anything except for one. I want that war ended."

His remarks put him at odds with Britain and other allies who have squarely blamed Putin for the invasion, which began when Russian forces entered Ukraine in 2022. Putin ordered up to 200,000 troops into the neighboring country in an attempt to overthrow its pro-Western government, leading to hundreds of thousands of deaths and ongoing missile and drone attacks on cities like Kyiv.

Trump also expressed criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, stating he was "not a big fan" and found him "more difficult to deal with than Putin." He has previously suggested Ukraine needed a new leader and claimed Putin desired a peace deal more.

Furthermore, Trump denied that the United States was responsible for limiting Ukraine's access to the Starlink satellite communications system, which is vital for its military operations. Ukrainian officials had accused the U.S. of restricting the use of Starlink terminals, which are crucial for battlefield communications and drone warfare.

"We didn't do that. We didn't slow it down at all," Trump stated regarding the Starlink system. Starlink, operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, provides high-speed internet via satellites, enabling Ukrainian drones to maintain connection with operators over long distances and counter Russian aerial threats. While Starlink is for civilian use, its military-grade sister service, Starshield, is designed for government applications. The U.S. government has authorized Ukraine's use of both systems in its defense against Russia.

Reports indicated that Starlink had unexpectedly restricted the speed at which drones could maintain internet connection on Tuesday night, though connectivity was reportedly restored by Wednesday evening. These restrictions hampered Kyiv's ability to defend itself from Russian drone attacks.

The recent friction in relations follows other actions by Trump, including a reported deal to purchase Russian diesel fuel, which critics argue could fund Russia's war efforts. He also reportedly declared that Ukraine and Russia had agreed not to target each other's energy facilities, a claim that Zelensky's government later disputed after continued Russian attacks.

Trump commented on the impact of global oil prices, saying, "All he's doing is making the world oil price higher. Well, I think that's a disgrace." Zelensky, speaking at a European Union summit, thanked the bloc for its support and highlighted its "real leaders." He also stated that Putin "does not want peace talks at the moment, in any form."

The developments have raised concerns about potential reductions in U.S. support for Ukraine's war effort. British Defence Secretary Wes Streeten, during his first visit to Washington D.C., aimed to foster harmony between the White House and Kyiv and advocate for continued American support, warning that failing to counter Russian aggression could have consequences beyond Ukraine and Europe.