Putin backs Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize – but with a catch | World | News
Vladimir Putin says Russia is behind honoring Donald Trump, but only if it does not supply Ukraine with deadly long-range Tomahawk missiles. The US president is now considering such a deployment as a way to force Mr Putin to the negotiating table.
Yury Ushakov, the Russian leader’s trusted chief foreign affairs advisor, was asked whether Moscow supports the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Trump after his success in stopping the war in Gaza. “I think at this point, if we were asked, they would support it,” the Kremlin official said. Which is surprising, of course, and I might even say stupid. [Volodymyr] “Zelensky’s statement that Ukraine may lobby in favor of awarding Trump the Nobel Prize,” he added: “If Trump sells Tomahawks, this would mean awarding the Peace Prize in exchange for providing weapons.” “The idea itself is monstrous.
“If people think in those kinds of categories, that says a lot about the kind of people they are,” he added.
Mr Putin’s aide walked in after Mr Trump said he was increasing pressure on Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine. He saw hope for talks and told reporters: “I think they will come to the table very soon.”
But the US president is considering supplying Ukraine with Tomahawks, long-range, all-weather, jet-powered subsonic cruise missiles worth £3 million each, currently used by the US, UK and Australia. They have a range of approximately 1,500 miles and can reach deep into Russia.
This comes after Mr Putin continued the war despite calls from Mr Trump to end it. Last month, the Russian leader said he had reached “agreements” with Mr. Trump on ending the war in Ukraine at their meeting in Alaska in August. But he did not confirm whether Mr. Trump would participate in peace talks with Mr. Zelensky, who has reportedly offered to mediate.
Today, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, triggering mass power outages and hitting civilians as the cold winter approaches. A 7-year-old child also died in the attacks.
The Russian dictator has previously told Ukraine that the Tomahawk supply chain would destroy his relations with Mr. Trump.
“This situation will lead to the destruction of our relations, at least the positive trends that started in these relations,” he said. “So I say what I think.
“And how things turn out isn’t just up to us or me.”
