U.S. policy emboldens Putin to kill and destroy, says former envoy Herbst
Washington’s approach to Russia leads Russian President Vladimir Putin to conclude he is permitted to kill people and destroy cities, John Herbst, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine from 2003 to 2006 and director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, said in an interview with Radio NV on June 17.
“This is the conclusion [that he can kill people and destroy cities] that he [Putin] draws as a result of Washington’s approach, indeed,” Herbst said.
“And that’s why I say it makes no sense, no logic, but there are people who don’t understand Russia, they say: you can’t pressure Russia. They don’t understand how it works, they’re not experts, just naive people, though they may be influential.”
Trump's position on Russia at the G7 Summit and Russia's attack on Kyiv overnight into June 17
The G7 summit, held from June 15 to 17 ended without an official communique due to disagreements with U.S. President Donald Trump, who pushed for softer language regarding Ukraine and Russia. Support for Ukraine was only mentioned in a statement by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the summit’s chair.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended the G7 summit, intending to meet Trump, but the American leader left early for Washington, citing developments in the Middle East.
In the early hours of June 17, Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Kyiv, killing 28 people, including 23 in a strike on a residential high-rise.
Media later reported that Zelenskyy cut short his visit to Canada due to the overnight Russian strike on Kyiv and Trump’s departure from the G7 summit.
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