Karoline Leavitt Literally Does a ‘Both Sides’ on Russia’s War in Ukraine

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said “both sides” in Russia’s war on Ukraine have suffered in the conflict and that it is incumbent on the countries’ leaders to negotiate an end.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and has repeatedly said he aims to overthrow Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and to demilitarize the country.

On the campaign trail, President Donald Trump pledged to broker an end to the war, though that has proved elusive. In February, Trump hosted Zelensky at the White House, where he and Vice President JD Vance lashed out at their guest. Trump has generally avoided criticizing Putin, but last week said his counterpart “has gone absolutely crazy” after Russian airstrikes on Kyiv.

Leavitt took questions outside the White House on Monday, where she reiterated Trump’s position that Putin and Zelensky should speak directly with each other. One reporter brought up Ukraine’s shocking drone attack on Russian warplanes deep inside Russian territory.

“What was the president’s reaction to that Ukrainian drone attack – stunning drone attack – on Russian airbases?” he asked. “What’s his reaction?”

“Well, look,” Leavitt replied. “The reaction is this war needs to come to an end. And this war has been brutal from both sides. Too many people have died, and the president wants this war to end at the negotiating table. And he’s made that clear to both leaders, both publicly and privately.”

Watch above via C-SPAN.