{
  "id": 15871105,
  "title": "Trump is taking Russia's side against Ukraine, former US general tells Euronews",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/trump-is-taking-russias-side-against-ukraine-former-us-general-tells",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T10:13:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euronews",
    "slug": "euronews",
    "url": "https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/21/trump-is-taking-russias-side-against-ukraine-former-us-general-tells-euronews"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Retired US Army Lieutenant General Ben Hodges has criticized President Donald Trump for deliberately siding with Russia and undermining Ukraine's ability to defend itself. General Hodges is not confident that the current administration is being honest in its dealings with Russia, either pro- or anti-Ukraine. He believes that the administration's actions, including restricting Ukraine's defenses and waiving sanctions on Russia, are all part of a deliberate strategy to pressure Kyiv into surrendering territory. Trump has demanded that Ukraine stop targeting Russian diesel refineries while the Kremlin has refused to cease targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure. The United States has also prevented Ukraine from accessing Starlink satellite communication, which is critical in intercepting Iranian-made Shahed drones. This has led to the Ukrainian military losing the ability to intercept drones traveling faster than 161 km/h. Trump has also called for elections in Ukraine and for Zelenskyy to be replaced. Hodges is pessimistic about any breakthrough between Washington and Kyiv, arguing that it reflects a deliberate policy choice by the administration.",
  "summary": "Former US Army lieutenant General Ben Hodges warns that Washington’s approach is weakening Ukraine’s defences, while former US ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker urges Europe to prepare for a future with less American support.",
  "key_points": [
    "Retired US Army General Ben Hodges criticizes Trump's support for Russia.",
    "Administration's actions aim to pressure Ukraine into surrendering territory."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The administration’s restrictions on military defenses and satellite access represent a strategic pivot that weakens Kyiv’s battlefield capabilities to force a territorial surrender to the Kremlin.",
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/15871105.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Trump envoy Witkoff to meet Putin in St. Petersburg for Ukraine war talks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/trump-envoy-witkoff-to-meet-putin-in-st-petersburg-for-ukraine-war",
        "published": "2026-10-21T07:55:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Interfax-Ukraine",
        "title": "Witkoff due back in Oslo after Putin meeting - media",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/witkoff-due-back-in-oslo-after-putin-meeting-media",
        "published": "2026-10-21T09:24:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Meduza (English)",
        "title": "Putin releases U.S. citizen Stephen Hubbard, who fought on Ukraine’s side",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/putin-releases-u-s-citizen-stephen-hubbard-who-fought-on-ukraines-side",
        "published": "2026-10-21T09:42:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "Ukraine talks: US envoy meets Vladimir Putin in Russia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/ukraine-talks-us-envoy-meets-vladimir-putin-in-russia",
        "published": "2026-10-21T11:04:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Putin, Witkoff meet in Russia for Ukraine war talks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/putin-witkoff-meet-in-russia-for-ukraine-war-talks",
        "published": "2026-10-21T12:03:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}