WASHINGTON – The Trump administration on Feb. 1 maintained a low-key approach to the latest flare-up of violence in eastern Ukraine, where the government accuses Russian-backed forces of stepping up attacks. The restrained tone may reflect the start of a new U.S. approach to dealing with Russia’s cross-border activity, even as top U.S. officials are pledging to support Ukraine’s sovereignty.
White House spokesman Sean Spicer had little to say on Feb. 1 when asked for the administration’s position on the renewed fighting that began over the weekend and persisted into early Feb. 1. At least 10 people have been killed and dozens wounded. President Donald Trump has been “kept aware of developments” in Ukraine, Spicer said, and the White House will “have further updates as we go on.” It was not immediately clear when those updates would come.
