Trump Views Ukraine Conflict as Distraction

WASHINGTON, February 18 (RIA Novosti) – US President Donald Trump is largely focused on his key domestic priorities and views foreign conflicts as an expensive diversion from internal issues, former Assistant Treasury Secretary Paul Craig Roberts told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.

“My judgment is that Trump, who with Elon Musk and the new Department of Government Efficiency, is committed to eliminating the federal budget deficit and does not want the expense of a proxy war, much less a proxy war capable of turning into a real war. War is a distraction from Trump’s domestic agenda,” Roberts said in an interview.

Trump shows little concern for Europe and NATO while favoring agreements over sanctions, and consequently, the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine will hinge on whether he is willing to accept the conditions set by Russian President Vladimir Putin for achieving peace, Roberts said.

Roberts also pointed out that it is unclear whether Trump will opt to engage in military action against Iran to support Israel, which could also simultaneously serve as a tactic to exert pressure on Russia.

Earlier in the day, the delegations led by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Riyadh for landmark talks concerning their bilateral relationship and Ukraine, among other issues. They agreed to launch a process for the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine.

Almost on a daily basis, Trump proclaims his unwavering commitment to ending the conflict in Ukraine, citing its human toll and the devastating impact on Ukraine’s economy.

Russia interviews PCR: Trump Views Ukraine Conflict as Distraction