- The Middle Ground
- Posts
- Trump Blames Ukraine for Starting War as Russian Strike Kills 30+
Trump Blames Ukraine for Starting War as Russian Strike Kills 30+
On April 13, Russia launched a devastating missile strike on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy, killing at least 34 civilians and injuring over 100 others. The missiles hit near a university and a residential district during a Palm Sunday service.

The Basics:
Overnight Russia launched a missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, killing at least 34 civilians and injuring over 100 others. The missiles hit near a university and a residential district during a Palm Sunday service. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the assault and issued a public invitation to President Donald Trump, urging him to visit Ukraine to witness the destruction firsthand.
President Trump responded by expressing a desire to end the war, referred to the strike as a “mistake”, and said it was “a horrible thing” before going on to blame Ukraine for starting the war.
🔵 The Left’s Perspective: Trump’s comments, in which he blamed Zelenskyy for the war’s start, are seen as revisionist and dangerous. Many see it as a continuation of Trump’s pattern excusing Putin and diminishing Ukraine’s suffering. They argue that, instead of laying blame on Ukraine, the U.S. should increase aid as it endures repeated civilian-targeted assaults. Zelenskyy’s invitation to Trump is viewed as a bold and dignified move, forcing Trump to confront the consequences of downplaying Russian brutality. | 🔴 The Right’s Perspective: Some conservatives argue that Trump’s framing, while provocative, is aimed at highlighting what they see as Biden’s foreign policy failures. They believe Trump is focused on protecting American interests first. Still, several Republicans have expressed discomfort with Trump’s tone, particularly his implication that Zelenskyy bears responsibility for Russia’s invasion. These critics argue that U.S. leadership should focus on ending the war, not questioning Ukraine’s right to defend itself. |
⚖️ The Middle Ground:
The attack highlights the human cost of the ongoing war and the danger of framing complex conflicts through partisan blame. While Trump seeks to distinguish his record from Biden’s, his continued implication that Ukraine shares blame for the war distorts the clear sequence of events.
The Middle Ground believes Trump’s call to stop the war is valid, but his rhetoric risks undermining Ukraine’s legitimacy, especially when he casts Zelenskyy as partially responsible for starting it. Zelenskyy’s invitation represents an opportunity for honest engagement, and for Trump to witness the consequences of the war firsthand.
Ending the war shouldn’t be a partisan issue, but that outcome is more likely if leaders speak with clarity, moral consistency, and respect for the victims of aggression.
Language Differences:
🔵 Left-Leaning Language: “Russian war crimes,” “Trump sides with Putin,” “Ukraine deserves full support.”
🔴 Right-Leaning Language: “Biden’s war,” “Trump kept the peace,” “Focus on diplomacy, not blame.”
Reply