Richard Branson Criticises Trump Over Putin and Ukraine

British billionaire and Virgin Group founder Richard Branson has criticised US President Donald Trump over his approach to Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing the American leader of prioritising personal interests over the security of the United States and its allies.

In a LinkedIn post published on Thursday, Branson described Trump as an “appeaser to autocrats and dictators” amid escalating tensions between Washington and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Branson, 76, questioned Trump’s relationship with Putin and raised concerns about the impact of Washington’s decisions on Ukraine and its European allies.

“What is it about Putin that President Trump fawns over?” Branson wrote, questioning how America’s allies could continue to trust the administration amid its changing approach to the conflict.

Richard Branson Criticises Trump Over Russia and Ukraine

Branson’s criticism came amid a public dispute between Trump and Zelenskyy over the US administration’s approach to the war in Ukraine.

According to a CNN report cited in the original account, Ukraine had run out of a crucial supply of US-made Patriot air defence interceptors, which are vital for protecting the country against Russian missile attacks.

The dispute also raised concerns about the availability of other military and technological support for Kyiv, including Starshield, a military communications service provided by Elon Musk’s SpaceX through its Starlink network.

Branson argued that disruptions to satellite communications and the reported lack of advance warning about Russian missile attacks had increased the risks faced by Ukrainian civilians.

“The slowdown of Starlink/Starshield and the inexplicable lack of advance warning of Russian missile launches have already caused Ukrainian civilians to die unnecessarily,” Branson wrote. “How much worse can it get?”

Branson Urges European Leaders to Support Ukraine

In his post, Branson called on European leaders to move beyond their initial reaction to Trump’s decisions and take a more active role in supporting Ukraine.

“If one thing is clear, it’s that European leaders must overcome the initial shock about Trump’s recent actions and step up to the plate,” he wrote.

He added that the conflict was not solely about Ukraine’s territorial integrity but also about the security and freedom of Europe.

“It’s as much about Europe’s freedom as it is about Ukraine’s sovereignty. Both are worth fighting for,” Branson said.

Trump-Zelenskyy Feud Intensifies Over Military Support

The tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy have centred on the future of US assistance to Ukraine and disagreements over how to end the war with Russia.

Trump has publicly criticised Zelenskyy over Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil infrastructure and previously described the Ukrainian president as a “dictator without elections”, drawing further attention to the strained relationship between the two leaders.

Zelenskyy, meanwhile, has stressed the importance of continued American military assistance, particularly air defence systems needed to protect Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure from Russian attacks.

Following the reported suspension of Starshield services, a Ukrainian statement said that when Kyiv requested additional air defence capabilities, the American response was to weaken Starlink’s service.

The developments have fuelled concerns among Ukraine’s supporters about the future of Western military assistance and the broader implications for European security.

US-Russia Relations Under Scrutiny

Branson’s remarks also came amid scrutiny of the Trump administration’s dealings with Moscow. The supplied report cited a US agreement to import Russian diesel following a telephone conversation between Trump and Putin on October 9, despite sanctions imposed by the administration on countries importing Russian petroleum products.

The reported arrangement and the dispute over military support for Ukraine have intensified questions about Washington’s strategy towards Moscow and its commitments to Kyiv.

Branson’s intervention adds to the criticism of Trump’s handling of the conflict, highlighting concerns about the potential consequences for Ukraine and America’s relationships with its traditional allies.

With the US midterm elections approaching in November, the administration’s foreign policy and its approach to the Russia-Ukraine war remain subjects of political debate.