Trump likens Russia‑Ukraine war to kids’ fight; says it may be ‘better to let them clash for now’

US President Donald Trump indicated that it could be better to let the war between Russia and Ukraine go on for a while, even though German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for more US pressure on Russia.

In a meeting with Merz at the White House, Trump admitted to the intense long-standing hatred and bitterness between the two countries and said this would probably keep a ceasefire from happening anytime soon — a noticeable contrast with his previous forecast that the war would soon be over.

"They fight, fight, fight," Trump said. "You let them fight sometimes for a little bit. You see it in hockey. You see it in sports. The referees let them go for a couple of seconds. Let them go for a little while before you grab them."

Conversely, Chancellor Merz informed Trump, "America is once more in a very powerful position of ending the war," and emphasized, "We are searching for more pressure on Russia."

In the case of additional sanctions on Russia, Trump said on Thursday no immediate action was contemplated but suggested that sanctions might actually target Russia and Ukraine too, saying, "it takes two to tango.

When I see the point at which it won't stop, we'll be very strong," Trump said. "And it might be on both sides."

Trump earlier warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that he was "playing with fire" in the midst of the present conflict, which presents no speedy solution.

Trump, in a Truth Social post, wrote, "What Vladimir Putin doesn't get is that if it weren't for me, a lot of really bad things already would have occurred to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He's playing with fire!"

Trump also had criticism for both Putin and the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“I’m not happy with what Putin’s doing,” Trump told reporters before boarding Air Force One in Morristown, New Jersey, en route to Washington.

He added, “I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin.”