While U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have spoken out and released statements, respectively, condemning Russia's Sunday attack on three Ukrainian naval ships, President Trump is taking a notably muted stance.
Haley was the first U.S. official to speak out about Russia's actions, blasting it as a "violation under international law," "yet another reckless Russian escalation," and "no way for a law-abiding civilized nation to act."
She did not mention Russian President Vladimir Putin by name, but she made clear before the U.N. Security Council that the U.S. would continue to support Ukraine against Russian aggression interference.
Pompeo also "condemn[ed] this aggressive Russian action" and demanded that Russia release the three vessels and their crews back to Ukraine. After speaking with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko Monday, Pompeo also called on him and Putin to mediate a resolution directly.
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Although Haley, who has announced she will leave her post by the end of the year, said that she spoke to Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Monday morning and that her remarks "reflect[ed] the concerns at the highest level of the American government," Trump's remarks notably did not include any condemnation of Russia, saying only the U.S. doesn't like what's happening "either way."
"Either way, we don't like what's happening, and hopefully, it will get straightened out," he told reporters Monday as he left the White House for a campaign rally. "I know Europe is not -- they are not thrilled. They're working on it too. We're all working on it together."
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Other Western leaders have been quick to vocalize support for Ukraine, with NATO and the European Union issuing statements Sunday as events unfolded. Ambassadors to NATO met Monday to discuss the crisis after the military alliance's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg spoke to Ukrainian President Poroshenko. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison attended that meeting, a U.S. official told ABC News.
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For its part, Russia has defended its actions as a response to a "dangerous provocation" by Ukraine, saying the three ships violated its sovereignty by entering this part of the Black Sea that is shared by the two countries. Two Ukrainian small artillery ships and one tugboat were passing through the Strait of Kerch, a narrow waterway that separates Russia from Crimea and over which Russia recently constructed a bridge. As they attempted to enter en route to the Ukrainian port Mariupol, Russian coast guard vessels intercepted them, eventually opening fire and then seizing them with special forces. The two artillery ships were damaged and six sailors were injured, according to Ukraine's navy, with the vessels and personnel still detained by Russia.
Russia said Ukraine engineered the crisis for political purposes ahead of its presidential elections early next year.
President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin may meet on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina next weekend.
Ukraine says Russia has seized 3 of its navy's ships after firing on them near Crimea (ABC News)