TRUMP SAYS PUTIN SHOULD END UKRAINE WAR INSTEAD OF TESTING MISSILES. (PHOTO).

Trump says Putin should end Ukraine war instead of testing missiles

U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin should focus on ending the war in Ukraine rather than testing a nuclear-powered missile, noting that the United States has a nuclear submarine stationed off Russia’s coast.

The remarks came after Putin announced Sunday that Russia had successfully tested its nuclear-capable Burevestnik cruise missile, which Moscow claims can evade any defense system. The missile, known to NATO as the SSC-X-9 Skyfall, reportedly flew 14,000 km (8,700 miles). Speaking from Air Force One, Trump emphasized that such a long-range test was unnecessary given the U.S. nuclear submarine presence near Russia. “They know we have a nuclear submarine, the greatest in the world, right off their shores,” he said. “You ought to get the war ended, the war that should have taken one week is now in its fourth year. That’s what you ought to do instead of testing missiles.”

The Kremlin responded that Russia would continue to act in its national interests and did not see the missile test as a threat to relations with the United States. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stressed that the development of new weapons was part of ensuring Russia’s security.

Trump also highlighted that the U.S. routinely tests missiles and said the presence of American submarines near Russia is not a provocation but a defensive measure. His administration has reportedly prepared additional sanctions to pressure Russia if the war in Ukraine continues. When asked about new sanctions, Trump responded, “You’ll find out.”