UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Ex-UK defence minister Grant Shapps condemned Donald Trump’s soft stance on Putin, calling his response to Russia’s missile strike in Ukraine “weasel language.”
As reported by The Guardian, the former defence minister expressed “disgust” at President Trump’s lenient view of Russia, comparing his comments on a deadly Ukraine strike to “IRA-style weasel words.”
What did Grant Shapps say about Trump and Putin?
Grant Shapps, on the One Decision podcast, stated that the path to ending the war is clear, adding,
“All anybody needs Putin to do is get the hell out of a democratic neighbouring country.”
He said,
“And I just have to [put] this on record: it disgusts me, I feel disgusted [by] the idea that the leader of the free world cannot tell the difference between the dictator who locks up and murders his opponents and invades innocent democratic countries and the country itself that has been invaded. This lack of moral clarity is completely demoralising for the rest of the democratic world.”
Mr Shapps stated,
“It’s a sort of weasel language. We used to hear it from the IRA [the Irish Republican terrorist group, after attacks killed civilians]. I mean, it’s just appalling to hear this sort of thing. It’s appalling not to be able to condemn it properly.”
Referring to past reports suggesting Trump’s pro-Putin views could stem from either respect for authoritarianism or possible blackmail, Shapps said,
“I think I know what kind of leverage Putin might have over Trump, but it’s simply not right.”
In response to Kate McCann’s question about what he meant by “hold,” the ex-defence minister explained that Trump’s 2020 impeachment was linked to his attempt to withhold military assistance from Ukraine in exchange for information on Joe Biden.
He argued that Trump’s favourable stance toward Putin was sending a dangerous message to other autocrats with ambitions of territorial conquest.
Mr Shapps added,
“Even if you are the Trump White House, surely you must understand that if you let one dictator get away with it, what do you think will happen when another dictator walks into a neighbouring state or one maybe just over the water and takes it over? Do you think that people will believe the West when we say you can’t do that?”
Grant Shapps’ political journey
Grant Shapps, aged 56, served in multiple positions within Conservative cabinets before taking on the role of Defence Minister in August 2023. He became instrumental in sustaining international support for Ukraine.
After losing his parliamentary seat in July, following a landslide victory for Labour, Mr. Shapps was awarded a knighthood this month.
Trump’s comments and actions amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict
During his presidential campaign last year, Trump pledged to secure peace in Ukraine in just one day. However, his actions have frustrated allies by criticising Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. His appointment of Steve Witkoff, who openly praised Putin, has faced significant backlash. Earlier this week, he repeated his inaccurate claim that Zelenskyy initiated the war.
Even after discussions held in Saudi Arabia, the war persists. This month, Russian missile attacks have caused massive devastation in Ukrainian cities. In Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskyy’s hometown, 19 people were killed, including nine children. Last Sunday, a missile strike in Sumy claimed at least 35 lives and injured more than 100.
On Air Force One, Trump commented on the Sumy strike, saying,
“I think it was terrible. And I was told they made a mistake. But I think it’s a horrible thing.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on President Trump to visit Ukraine and witness the massive destruction caused by Russia’s invasion. However, President Trump downplayed Moscow’s recent deadly attack, the worst on civilians this year, calling it “a mistake.”