Today in his interview with NBC, Trump exhibited an interesting change in rhetoric:
KRISTEN WELKER:
So you think you’re close to a deal? What will Russia have to give up? Because Ukraine, there’s been discussions they will have to give up some of the land that Russia’s illegally claimed.
PRES. DONALD TRUMP:
Russia will have to give up all of Ukraine. Because that’s what they want.
KRISTEN WELKER:
All of Ukraine? Meaning they wouldn’t keep any of the land that they have claimed?
PRES. DONALD TRUMP:
No, no. Russia would have to give up all of Ukraine. Because what Russia wants is all of Ukraine. And if I didn’t get involved, they would be fighting right now for all of Ukraine. Russia doesn’t want the strip that they have now; Russia wants all of Ukraine. And if it weren’t me, they would keep going.
This can obviously be interpreted several ways, not to mention Trump has a track record of completely changing his positions and claiming he never did. However, what is important here is that these statements give cover to Republicans who are pro-Ukrainian but don't want to stick their necks out. He was also asked about the Sanctioning Russia Act, and whether Putin could be "tapping him along".
Full transcript:
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/tr...d-trump-interviewed-meet-press-mod-rcna203514