42nd and 43rd U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush expressed their support to Ukraine, which resists the military invasion of the Russian Federation.
Wearing blue and yellow ribbons on their jacket lapels, the Presidents placed sunflowers' bouquets near Saints Volodymyr and Olha Catholic Church in Chicago.
“America stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine as they fight for their freedom and against oppression,” Clinton wrote on his Twitter.
George W. Bush President Center also made a publication about the event: “America stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine as they fight for their freedom and their future.”
America stands united with the people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom and against oppression. pic.twitter.com/O7INc9S1tq
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) March 18, 2022
Before the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the 45th U.S. President, Donald Trump, on the conservative “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show,” called Putin’s decision to recognize the “independence” of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine “genius.” Trump called the President of the Russian Federation “a very savvy guy.” However, after Russia started shelling Ukraine, Trump condemned the Kremlin’s actions and expressed condolences to Ukrainians. This time he praised President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling him “brave” as he stays in Kyiv.
“Russia’s attack on Ukraine is horrible. We are praying for the brave people of Ukraine. God bless them all,” Trump said.
At the same time, he took an opportunity to criticize the current U.S. President, Joe Biden. Trump said that Putin used Biden’s “weakness” to invade Ukraine. He also connected the invasion with the U.S. 2020 Presidential election.
In 2018 Trump blamed his predecessor, Barack Obama, for his lack of support for Ukraine amid the occupation of Crimea and parts of Donbas. Trump said that during his time, the United States provided Ukraine with weapons, including anti-tank weapons, and that the administration of the 44th President Barack Obama sent only "pillows and blankets" (humanitarian aid) to Ukraine.
After President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's speech before both houses of Congress in the United States, bipartisan support for Ukraine increased, but Republican criticism of President Biden also intensified.
Later Biden announced that the U.S. was increasing defense support to Kyiv. According to him, it is an additional $800 m in defense support to Ukraine.
The U.S. President also warned China’s leader, Xi Jinping, about the consequences for Bejing of providing financial or military help to Russian and its aggression against Ukraine.