"For now, it's just words": Sarts urged not to rush to conclusions after Trump's statements on Ukraine

Janis Sarts, the director of the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, urged against making hasty conclusions following the recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Ukraine. According to him, the current American administration has repeatedly demonstrated that sharp public statements do not always translate into real political decisions. In the broadcast of the program "900 Seconds" on [TV3](https://tv3.lv/zinas/arvalstis/sarts-trampa-skalie-pazinojumi-ne-vienmer-klust-par-realu-politiku/), Sarts noted that such a communication style has become a characteristic feature of Washington's politics. > "A message appears that evokes strong emotions and generates a wave of discussions, and then we see that in practice, not everything is implemented as it seems," he said. At the same time, the expert acknowledged that the signals sounded cannot be called positive for Ukraine and its allies. > "This news is not good — neither for Ukraine nor for us. But I would not rush to assert that this is exactly how everything will happen in reality," Sarts emphasized. Commenting on reports about a possible resumption of Russian diesel fuel exports, the head of StratCom drew attention to the situation within Russia itself. According to him, the country is already experiencing a fuel shortage, so an increase in exports will inevitably affect domestic consumption. > "We know that Russia itself lacks fuel. If it starts exporting it, it means that someone in Russia or at the front will have less," the expert noted. Separately, Sarts commented on the periodically arising discussions about a possible change of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He stated that this topic has appeared in the information space more than once. > "This is not news. This topic comes up from time to time, then disappears, and then returns again," he said. The expert reminded that holding elections in a country that is at war after an external invasion presents a serious practical problem in itself. > "In a country that has been invaded by a neighboring state, elections are usually not held," Sarts emphasized. In his opinion, such discussions create more opportunities for Russian influence rather than helping Ukraine. > "This would give the Russians more opportunities than it would help Ukraine," he stated. Sarts believes that relations between Washington and Kyiv may continue to be accompanied by periods of tension. However, in his opinion, the situation should be assessed based on specific political decisions and their implementation, rather than on the first loud statements. "We will look at the final result in some time," the expert concluded.