[British media: Putin plays the "victim" role to Trump]
On June 5, Sky News reported that during his phone call with Trump, Putin complained about Ukraine's attack on Russia's airbase, adopting this strategy in an attempt to reverse the situation in favor of Russia.
The report noted that just ten days had passed since Trump described Putin's large-scale attacks on Ukraine as "madness." However, now the direction of the attacks has reversed. Putin believed that this move could win back Washington's favor.
For example, the Kremlin claimed that Putin's conversation with Trump focused on Ukraine's "attacks on Russian civilians." Before speaking with Trump, Putin criticized the Ukrainian authorities as a "terrorist organization" at a meeting with government members and commented on the attacks on Russian facilities -- "The current Kiev regime does not need peace at all. What is there to negotiate? How can we negotiate with those who rely on terrorist means?"
The report pointed out that these comments were consistent with Ukraine's accusations against Russia over the past three years. But now, the Kremlin has completely entered the victim mode.
Ivor Bennett, Sky News' correspondent in Russia, analyzed that such strategies aim to reverse the situation, portray Russia as a victim, and persuade Trump that Russia has the right to respond to Ukraine's drone attacks on its long-range bomber bases. Moreover, "this strategy may have already worked." After Trump spoke with Putin, he posted on social media, "President Putin indeed firmly stated that he must respond to the recent attack on the airbase."
Bennett noted, "Whether Trump tried to dissuade Putin from retaliating? We do not know, but it is highly unlikely. On the contrary, it seems that Trump preemptively announced Russia's retaliatory actions. Although Putin and Trump discussed the drone attacks, four days have passed, and he has yet to comment publicly. Russia wants to be seen as a victim but does not want to appear weak, so this awkward incident was not widely reported by the media."
Pavel Narodin, a British military expert, speculated that Trump remained silent about Ukraine's attack on Russia's airbase and the Kerch Bridge because these strikes demonstrated that Ukraine could conduct powerful attacks deep into enemy territory without coordination with allies. Therefore, Trump has not commented on the matter.
White House press secretary Caroline Levitt was asked whether Trump supported Ukraine's "Spider Web" operation and responded that the president himself should speak, adding, "The president does not want this war to continue. He hopes to stop the fighting, end casualties, and resolve conflicts through negotiations. The reason he has been deeply involved and invested so much time and effort is precisely because he cannot remain indifferent to civilian deaths."
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1834071977167936/
Disclaimer: This article only represents the author's personal views.