Smith Stands with Trump, Blames Biden, Obama, and Clinton for Ukraine-Russia Conflict: NFL News | Times of India

On his podcast, ESPN host Stephen A. Smith defended Donald Trump against the blame for the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Speaking on August 19, 2025, he declared that Trump didn’t start the Russia-Ukraine war, and it’s incorrect to place the blame on him. He insisted that the conflict began under Joe Biden’s presidency and that preceding actions by Barack Obama and Bill Clinton exacerbated the situation.

Serving the crucial news straight-up, Smith firmly defended Donald Trump, putting the blame instead on Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton for the Russia-Ukraine war. He detailed these thoughts on his podcast “The Stephen A. Smith Show” on August 19, 2025. He refuted the allegations that Trump had any role in inciting the war. He argued, “It was Biden in office when a full-fledged war against Ukraine took place, courtesy of Russia’s instigation.”

Smith blamed Obama for Russia’s invasion of Crimea in 2014, during his administration, which he asserted contributed to the current war. He also brought up Bill Clinton, stating that under Clinton’s presidency in 1994, Ukraine relinquished its nuclear weapons and subsequently became overly dependent on the United States. Smith emphasized the importance of upholding promises, insisting that despite disagreements over financing Ukraine’s defense, “promises made are supposed to be promises kept.”

He also pointed out the decisions made by Biden, Obama, and Clinton in relation to the Ukraine conflict. He particularly focused on Clinton’s role in the 1990s when Ukraine surrendered its nuclear weapons under an agreement supported by President Clinton, in return for security promises. Smith argued that this agreement left Ukraine vulnerable and overly reliant on aid from other countries. He added that he is against American taxpayers funding billions of dollars for Ukraine, however, he reiterated that promises made should always be kept. He concluded by emphasizing the under-threat sovereignty of Ukraine and advised against painting the Ukrainian people as the villains of the conflict.