Warning to Russia
Ahead of Charlie Kirk's Funeral
"Great Individual"
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on the 21st (local time) that he would support the defense of Poland and the Baltic states in response to Russia, which has been uncooperative in ending the war in Ukraine and recently violated the airspace of Poland and the Baltic countries.
Before departing from the White House to attend the funeral of American young conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Arizona, President Trump met with reporters and was asked whether he would defend Poland and the Baltic states if Russia continued to escalate tensions. He replied, "Yes."
He was also asked whether he had been briefed about a Russian fighter jet violating the airspace of Estonia, one of the three Baltic states, to which he answered, "Yes. I did not like that."
These remarks come amid heightened tensions on the eastern front, as Russian drones and fighter jets have repeatedly violated the airspace of NATO member states such as Poland, Romania, and Estonia. President Trump, who once touted a close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been increasingly vocal about his dissatisfaction and disappointment as Putin remains passive about ending the war.
In a Fox News interview aired the same day, President Trump, referring to his keynote speech at the United Nations General Assembly high-level session this week, stated, "The issues between Russia and Ukraine must be resolved," adding, "There is significant animosity between Putin and Zelensky (Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine)."
Meanwhile, President Trump mentioned Kirk to reporters, saying, "I am glad to be able to honor the life of a great individual," and added, "Today will be a very difficult day." He went on to express his affection for Kirk's spouse, Erica Kirk, and said he would speak about Kirk's legacy and the impact he had on younger generations.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
