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Donald Trump's about-turn on Putin shows growing frustration over ‘inability' to fulfill campaign promise? ‘He fooled…'

Donald Trump's about-turn on Putin shows growing frustration over ‘inability' to fulfill campaign promise? ‘He fooled…'

Mint13 hours ago
Six month ago US President Donald Trump had pledged he would measure his success by 'the wars we end' and 'the wars we never get into". Six month ago, Donald Trump had praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, in an approach seemingly different from his predecessor Joe Biden regarding the Russia-Ukraine war.
When Russia was preparing to invade Ukraine in 2022, Donald Trump had called Putin a 'genius' for moving to seize large swaths of territory — applauding what he viewed as hard-line negotiation tactics.
'How smart is that? And he's going to go in and be a peacekeeper,' Trump had said, adding: 'Here's a guy who's very savvy. I know him very well.'
Six month later, US president Donald Trump threatened Putin with 100% tariffs, a 50-day deadline to reach a peace agreement with Ukraine.
Months after publicly berating Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, Donald Trump has now adopted an approach toward Russia that, at least on the surface, looks very much like his predecessor's: arming the Ukrainians to fight off an invasion.
For Donald Trump, the decision to sell more arms to Ukraine — albeit through European nations that will foot the bill— and threaten Russia with deep sanctions on energy exports in 50 days if it does not negotiate a peace marks a complete reversal of the approach he took in his first months in office.
As Biden quit the US Presidential race, and Kamala Harris took over as the Democrat' candidate, Donald Trump had offered a different perspective for the Russia-Ukraine war. He claimed that he 'got along' with Putin 'very well', and vowed to 'end' the Russa-Ukraine war which was seemingly draining the US coffers.
Once he took office in January 2025, Donald Trump blamed the Ukrainians for Russia's invasion of their own country. Then he clashed with President Volodymyr Zelensky in an extraordinary Oval Office display, telling him, 'You don't have the cards.' He gave Russia a pass on tariffs and praised Putin for his strength, and provided assurance that Ukraine would never join NATO.
Even on Monday, Trump lamented that he had several conversations with Mr. Putin earlier this year that, in his telling, seemed fruitful but ultimately led to nothing changing.
Earlier, many of Trump's comments about Russia's Putin have reflected his anger about the US investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election that dominated his first term.
'Let me tell you, Putin went through a hell of a lot with me,' he said in February, seated next to President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine in the Oval Office.
But in recent weeks, Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with his Russian counterpart over the lack of progress on a cease-fire in Ukraine, as The New York Times has reported.
'I am disappointed in President Putin,' Trump said on Monday, announcing his plans to impose 'very severe' tariffs that would hurt Russia if it does not agree to a cease-fire deal in the next 50 days. 'The talk doesn't mean anything.'
'My conversations with him are always very pleasant," Trump said of Putin. 'And then the missiles go off that night.'
President Trump's new plan to send weapons to Ukraine and his simultaneous threat of harsh penalties on Russia's trading partners reflect a dramatic shift in his position on the war, but his proposals leave key details unclear.
Speaking alongside NATO's secretary general, Mark Rutte, at the White House on Monday, US president Trump said that Patriot air defense systems and other arms would 'quickly' be transferred to Ukraine, which is in desperate need of more weapons to fend off Russia's invasion.
Trump said the United States would sell those arms to European nations, which would ship them to Ukraine or use them to replace weapons they send to the country from their existing stocks.
But Pentagon officials said later that many details were still being worked out.
There is reason to doubt the US President will stick with it. Even his statements of support for Ukraine on Monday, as he sat in the Oval Office with Mark Rutte, made clear that Trump planned to keep his distance from direct ownership of what might come next unless it is a peace agreement.
'This is not Trump's war,' he told reporters. 'This is a Biden war, this is a Democrat war.'
Moreover, the president was clearly sensitive to the charge that in his first half-year in office, he was deceived by President Vladimir Putin, hoping that the Russian leader would reciprocate for the fact that Trump was agreeing, pre-emptively, to many of Putin's demands. 'He fooled Clinton, Bush, Obama, Biden — he didn't fool me,' Trump insisted.
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Air India to partially resume international flights from August 1
Air India to partially resume international flights from August 1

Business Standard

time36 minutes ago

  • Business Standard

Air India to partially resume international flights from August 1

Air India on Tuesday announced the partial restoration of its international flight schedule, which had been curtailed under a 'safety pause' following the fatal crash of flight AI171 last month, with some frequencies returning from August 1 and full restoration targeted by October 1. The announcement comes days after India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its preliminary report on the 12 June crash. The report revealed that both engine fuel switches on the Air India Boeing 787 had moved from RUN to CUTOFF seconds after take-off from Ahmedabad, causing a loss of thrust and the subsequent crash. The tragedy killed 241 people on board and 19 on the ground. The cause of the mid-air switch movement remains undetermined. 'Air India today announced the partial restoration of schedules that were reduced pursuant to its 'Safety Pause', taken following the tragic accident of AI171 on 12th June 2025,' the airline said in a statement issued Tuesday evening. 'That Pause enabled Air India to perform additional precautionary checks on its Boeing 787 aircraft as well as accommodating longer flying times arising from airspace closures over Pakistan and the Middle East,' it noted. The first phase of the restoration will begin on 1 August and continue through September. During this period, a new route will be introduced: a thrice-weekly flight between Ahmedabad and London Heathrow, replacing the current five-times-weekly Ahmedabad–London Gatwick service. The airline will also reinstate flights on several curtailed routes. From 16 July, all 24 weekly flights between Delhi and London Heathrow will operate as scheduled. Starting 1 August, Delhi–Zurich will increase from four to five weekly flights, while Delhi–Tokyo Haneda will resume its full seven-weekly schedule. Delhi–Seoul Incheon will return to five weekly flights from 1 September. However, some routes will continue with reductions. From 1 August, Bengaluru–London Heathrow will drop from six to four weekly flights. Delhi–Paris will be cut from 12 to seven weekly flights and Delhi–Milan from four to three from 16 July. Other European routes like Delhi–Copenhagen, Delhi–Vienna and Delhi–Amsterdam will remain below full frequency until September, with Amsterdam scheduled to return to daily service on 1 August. In North America, multiple routes will operate fewer weekly flights through September. Delhi–Washington remains at three weekly flights, while Delhi–Chicago will operate three weekly in July and four weekly in August. Delhi–San Francisco, Delhi–Toronto, Delhi–Vancouver and Delhi–New York (JFK and Newark) will also continue at reduced frequencies. Mumbai–New York JFK will drop to six weekly flights from 1 August. Flights to Australia are similarly affected. Both Delhi–Melbourne and Delhi–Sydney remain reduced to five times weekly. In Africa, Delhi–Nairobi has resumed service at three weekly flights until 31 August but will be suspended for the entire month of September. Air India confirmed that four routes will remain suspended until 30 September: Amritsar–London Gatwick, Goa (Mopa)–London Gatwick, Bengaluru–Singapore and Pune–Singapore. 'As the schedule reductions taken as part of the Safety Pause had been implemented until 31 July and the restoration to full operation is being phased, some services initially planned to operate between 1 August and 30 September will be removed from the schedule,' the airline stated. 'Air India is proactively contacting affected passengers to offer re-booking on alternative flights or a full refund, as per their preference,' it added.

Israel's ex-PM Ehud Olmert draws Nazi comparison: Netanyahu's Gaza ‘humanitarian city' would be a ‘concentration camp'
Israel's ex-PM Ehud Olmert draws Nazi comparison: Netanyahu's Gaza ‘humanitarian city' would be a ‘concentration camp'

Mint

time41 minutes ago

  • Mint

Israel's ex-PM Ehud Olmert draws Nazi comparison: Netanyahu's Gaza ‘humanitarian city' would be a ‘concentration camp'

The 'humanitarian city' proposed by Israel's defence minister to be built on the ruins of Rafah would in effect be a concentration camp, and forcing Palestinians into it would amount to ethnic cleansing, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has warned. Israel's defence ministry has reportedly floated a plan to confine a large portion of Gaza's population to a heavily damaged, tightly controlled zone in the southern part of the Gaza enclave, in Rafah, bordering Egypt. The controversial proposal risks derailing ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. In recent weeks, Israeli officials have briefed journalists and international diplomats on an informal plan to relocate hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians to an area near the Gaza-Egypt border, under Israeli military control. While the Israeli government has yet to officially confirm or comment on the proposal, the concept of a new encampment in southern Gaza was first introduced by Defence Minister Israel Katz. He reportedly shared the idea with Israeli military correspondents during a briefing, The New York Times reported. Katz has reportedly directed the Israeli military to begin drafting operational plans for the 'humanitarian city', to be built on the rubble of southern Gaza. The encampment would initially accommodate 600,000 people and ultimately house Gaza's entire population, which exceeds two million. 'It is a concentration camp. I am sorry,' Olmert said bluntly to the Guardian when asked about Katz's proposal. 'If they [Palestinians] will be deported into the new 'humanitarian city', then you can say that this is part of an ethnic cleansing. It hasn't yet happened,' he said, adding that such a move would be 'the inevitable interpretation' of creating a camp for hundreds of thousands of people. Olmert clarified to the Guardian that he does not currently consider Israel's campaign in Gaza to be ethnic cleansing. He argued that the evacuation of civilians to protect them from conflict is permitted under international law and noted that many Palestinians have returned to areas where Israeli military operations have ended. However, the former prime minister has been sharply critical of Israel's military conduct and political leadership throughout the Gaza conflict. In May, he told CNN he could no longer defend Israel against accusations of war crimes. 'What is it if not a war crime?' he asked rhetorically, pointing the finger at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right cabinet members, accusing them of 'committing actions which can't be interpreted any other way'. Olmert said that after months of inflammatory rhetoric — including statements by ministers calling for Gaza to be 'cleansed' and plans to construct Israeli settlements there — the claim that the 'humanitarian city' is meant to protect Palestinians rings hollow. 'When they build a camp where they [plan to] 'clean' more than half of Gaza, then the inevitable understanding of the strategy of this [is that] it is not to save [Palestinians]. It is to deport them, to push them and to throw them away. There is no other understanding that I have, at least,' Olmert said. The 'humanitarian city' is a proposed Israeli initiative to construct a massive, enclosed zone in southern Gaza, built on the ruins of Rafah. The camp would serve as a settlement for displaced Palestinians, beginning with 600,000 and eventually expanding to the entire population of Gaza — over two million people. The Israeli government, under Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Katz, claims the initiative aims to offer humanitarian assistance and encourage voluntary emigration. The zone would be monitored by the Israeli military 'from a distance' to ensure security. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office hit back at Olmert's remarks, branding him a 'convicted felon disgracing Israel on CNN.' 'We evacuate civilians. Hamas blocks them. He calls that a war crime?' the statement read, referencing Olmert's 16-month prison sentence for corruption, served before his release in 2017. Despite the backlash, Olmert — who served as prime minister from 2006 to 2009 — doubled down on his criticism, particularly given the gravity of comparing Israeli actions to Nazi-era concentration camps, a comparison rarely made in Israeli political discourse. Yet, Olmert maintained that this was the 'inevitable interpretation' of the current plans. Yair Lapid, leader of Israel's opposition, also condemned the humanitarian city proposal, accusing Netanyahu of enabling far-right ministers to 'run wild with extreme fantasies just to preserve his coalition.' On social media, Lapid urged a ceasefire and demanded the return of hostages. Hamas has pointed to Katz's plan as a major roadblock to any renewed ceasefire. In return for releasing around 25 hostages, Hamas demands Israeli troop withdrawals from most of Gaza. However, the proposed encampment would ensure continued Israeli control over a strategic area, undermining Hamas's objectives. Senior Hamas official Husam Badran denounced the encampment proposal as a 'deliberately obstructive demand' that would hinder already fragile peace talks. 'This would be an isolated city that resembles a ghetto,' Badran said in a text message. 'This is utterly unacceptable, and no Palestinian would agree to this.'

How Donald Trump's weapon deal with Ukraine is inviting Maga ire
How Donald Trump's weapon deal with Ukraine is inviting Maga ire

First Post

time41 minutes ago

  • First Post

How Donald Trump's weapon deal with Ukraine is inviting Maga ire

US President Donald Trump's decision to send weapons to Ukraine to help its defence against Russia has some in the Make America Great Again (Maga) movement irate. Here's what some leading figures in Maga land including Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene and Steve Bannon are saying and the potential fallout read more US President Donald Trump has taken a harsher line on Vladimir Putin recently. Reuters File Since the moment he announced he was running for president, Donald Trump's base has had unshakable faith in him. They stayed with him through the Access Hollywood tape when it looked like his campaign was at an end. They remained loyal after he was defeated by Joe Biden in the 2020 election and during the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol. Trump himself had boasted about his followers' loyalty, saying he could probably get away with shooting someone on 5th Avenue. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, seven months into his second term, the Make America Great Again (Maga) movement seems to be growing more upset with Trump. Why is this happening? Because of the Ukraine war, which Trump vowed to end 'within 24 hours' of taking office. But it's not so much as the war continuing itself. More specifically, it's about Washington sending weapons to Kyiv to defend itself. But what happened? What is Maga world saying? Let's take a closer look: What happened? Trump returned to the Oval Office as the 'anti-war candidate'. He claimed that Kamala Harris getting the top job would make World War III an inevitability. He vowed to bring an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine quickly and painlessly. He had criticised the US' proclivity to get into 'forever wars' or endless wars. He repeatedly vowed that he was going to 'stop wars' instead of starting them. As a candidate during the previous elections, he had also taken shots at the 'warmongers and America-last' globalists including his rivals Nikki Haley in 2024 and Jeb Bush in 2016. 'Let's kill people all over the place and let's make a lot of money for those people that make the messes', Trump said of Haley in January 2024. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We should have never been in Iraq,' Trump said in February 2016. 'They lied. They said there were weapons of mass destruction. There were none and they knew that there were none.' However, his actions as president during his 2nd term have been nearly diametrically opposed to what he said on the campaign trail. Not only has Trump supported Israel's war in Gaza, he has also conducted airstrikes on the Houthis. Many in his Maga base, whose patience and love for Israel runs deep, have backed him up on this. Some even supported Trump bombing Iran's nuclear facilities. A B-52 Stratofortress assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, takes off at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, on April 14, 2023. (Representative Photo, Credit: US Air Force) However, it looks like Trump's decision to send weapons to Ukraine to help in its war with Russia may be one war too many for the Maga faithful. Trump on Monday announced that the United States would be sending weapons to Ukraine via Nato. Trump, during a meeting with Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte, announced that the organisation would pay for the weapons. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We've made a deal today where we are going to be sending them weapons and they're going to be paying for them', Trump said. He also warned Russia to end the war with Ukraine in 50 days. Trump on Sunday had said the US would send Ukraine 'various pieces of very sophisticated military equipment'. 'We will send them Patriots, which they desperately need,' Trump added. While Trump didn't specify the number of Patriot batteries to be sent he said 'they're going to have some because they do need protection'. Trump has long since called for other nations in Nato to increase their defence spending. Many in the orthodox wing of the Republican Party, known as the hawks, have erupted with joy. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a huge Trump supporter, said it was a turning point'. 'The game, regarding [Vladimir] Putin's invasion of Russia, is about to change', Graham added. This decision came a week after the Pentagon paused the flow of weapons to Ukraine. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This decision, seemingly made by the deputy defence secretary and signed off by his boss Pete Hegseth, was initially celebrated by some in the Maga camp. Trump in recent weeks has taken a harsher line on Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he previously praised. These recent events have cast a pall over Maga world, many of whom have taken a stance that is just short of being pro-Russia. What is Maga world saying? Some in Maga world are furious with Trump's decision. Republican Congresswomen Marjorie Taylor Greene on social media slammed 'backdoor deals through Nato'. Greene said the development was in stark contrast to what she promised voters on the campaign trail. 'It's not just Ukraine; it's all foreign wars in general and a lot of foreign aid,' she said. 'This is what we campaigned on. This is what I promised also to my district. This is what everybody voted for. And I believe we have to maintain the course.' 'Without a shadow of a doubt, our tax dollars are being used', she added. 'I said it on every rally stage: no more money to Ukraine. We want peace. We just want peace for those people,' she said. 'And guess what? People haven't changed'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Surface-to-air missile launchers of the Patriot (Wisla) system newly added into the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) at an army base in Sochaczew, Poland. File image/Reuters Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon, who many during the first term referred to as 'Trump's brain', also slammed the decision. Bannon on his podcast called the Ukraine conflict a "European war". 'Ukraine is getting so dangerous", Bannon said. 'It's a European war. Let Europe deal with it'. 'They have the resources. They have the manpower'. 'We're about to arm people we have literally no control over', Bannon added. 'This is old-fashioned, grinding war in the bloodlands of Europe - and we're being dragged into it'. A former Trump campaign official said Europe buying the weapons somewhat mitigates the anger from the Maga base. 'But we still hate it,' the official told Politico. 'This is not our war, and escalation isn't in America's interest'. The larger question is if this Ukraine decision will cause Trump's base to turn on him in the long run. Ukraine unpopular with Republicans Data show that Ukraine isn't very popular with Republicans. Just 59 per cent of Republicans think the US is helping Ukraine 'too much,' as per a March poll. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD That number was at 56 per cent in another poll. Just 1 in 10 Republicans want the US more involved in the conflict. There are also little concerns about Russia within the party. Rescue workers extinguish a fire of a house destroyed by a Russian strike in Markhalivka village, Kyiv region, Ukraine. AP file/Representative image Only 25 per cent of Republican-leaning Americans said they are 'extremely' or 'very' concerned about Russia defeating Ukraine in a March poll. Only 29 per cent said they were concerned that Russia would invade other nations. A mere 40 per cent think Russia is the 'enemy'. A Reuters poll also showed 58% of Republicans tended to agree with the statement 'the problems of Ukraine are none of our business, and we should not interfere.' A majority of Republicans (63-34) also oppose sending weapons and money to Ukraine. Remember, the base right now is already irate at Trump over his handling of the files related to the Jeffrey Epstein allegations. While Trump has called on his supporters to 'move on' from the Epstein saga, many Maga supporters show no signs of being inclined to do so. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, history shows that the Maga faithful have always trailed in the direction that Trump led them in. While the idea of conducting strikes on Iran initially repulsed some on the right, eight in 10 Republicans afterwards backed up their Commander-in-Chief. Since so many in Maga land have stuck with Trump through thick and thin, it is unlikely that Ukraine will be the final straw. With inputs from agencies

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