Trump Announces Possibility of Canceling Meeting with Putin in Argentina

In light of new tensions between Russia and Ukraine, which escalated with Russian forces firing upon and seizing three Ukrainian ships, Trump stated he might cancel his meeting with Putin. They were expected to meet during the G20 summit in Argentina. On December 6, Donald Trump, the President of the United States, told the Washington Post that he is currently awaiting a "full report" on the incident from the White House National Security team. Trump mentioned that this report "could be very decisive" and added, "Maybe this meeting [with Vladimir Putin] won't take place. Maybe I won't do this meeting... I don't like violence. I don't want violence to happen at all." The recent violence between Russia and Ukraine, this time in the Kerch Strait, has prompted Ukraine's Western allies to react. On Sunday, Russian military forces fired upon two Ukrainian warships; six crew members were injured, and two warships along with a Ukrainian military tugboat and several Ukrainian sailors are currently under Russian control. The Kerch Strait connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov; to the north is Ukraine, to the east is Russia, and to the west is the Crimean Peninsula. Russia claims its border guards fired after the "illegal entry" of Ukrainian ships into Russian waters. However, the Ukrainian Navy states that the Russian coast guard attacked its vessels, including two armored boats that were attempting to pass through the 12-mile zone of the strait and return to the Black Sea. On Monday afternoon, December 5, the Ukrainian parliament held a closed session and approved the imposition of martial law. Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, described Russia's actions as "aggressive" and called for the release of the ships and their crews. Several senior European politicians have also mentioned the possibility of new sanctions against Russia. On the other hand, Moscow accused Ukraine of deliberately provoking Russia by sending these ships and trying to escalate the crisis. Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, also stated in a phone call with Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, that Moscow is ready to provide more details about the incident. On Tuesday, a court in Russia ruled to detain 12 of the 24 captured sailors for two months. Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin were supposed to meet and discuss during the G20 summit of the world's largest economies in Argentina. Just hours before Trump's interview with the Washington Post, John Bolton, the U.S. National Security Advisor, stated that the two would discuss security issues, arms control, the Middle East, and Ukraine.