Trump avoids labeling Putin “bad guy,” expresses concern over casualties in Ukraine

He made the statement during a press conference at the White House, CNN reports.

According to the report, a journalist in the Oval Office asked Trump whether he considers Putin a “bad guy.”

“We were going to solve a problem, and then all of a sudden, rockets got shot into a couple of cities and people died,” Trump said.

“I saw things that I was surprised at, and I don’t like being surprised, so I’m very disappointed,” he added.

Read also: U.S. warns of abandoning negotiation efforts if Russia continues war

Thus, the U.S. president avoided a direct answer to whether he now considers Putin a “good or bad guy.” However, at the same time, he expressed concern about the human casualties of the conflict.

When asked how his administration is dealing with the “very stubborn Vladimir Putin,” Trump quickly added a reference to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“And Zelenskyy too,” he emphasized.

• On May 28, Donald Trump said he was unsure whether Russian leader Vladimir Putin truly wants to end the war but warned Washington would respond differently if it turns out Putin is deceiving them.