Trump Criticizes Ukraine War, Calls for Negotiated End to Conflict
Former President Donald Trump, in a speech on Wednesday, painted a grim picture of Ukraine, referring to its people as “dead” and the country itself as “demolished.” His remarks have sparked concerns about the potential impact of his return to the White House on the Ukraine conflict.
Trump’s Call for Concessions
Trump argued that Ukraine should have made concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin in the months leading up to Russia’s February 2022 invasion. He stated that even “the worst deal would’ve been better than what we have now.”
Known for his long-standing criticism of U.S. aid to Ukraine, Trump often claims that Russia would not have invaded had he been president, asserting that he would quickly end the war if re-elected. His remarks in North Carolina, providing some of his most detailed comments on the conflict, carry significant weight in shaping public perception.
Recent Controversy with Zelenskyy
Trump’s comments come after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Trump and his running mate, JD Vance. Zelenskyy, currently in the U.S. for the United Nations General Assembly, referred to Vance as “too radical” for suggesting Ukraine should surrender territories to Russia while questioning Trump’s ability to stop the war. In response, Trump dismissed Zelenskyy’s remarks as “nasty aspersions” during his North Carolina speech.
Painting a Grim Picture of Ukraine
Trump portrayed Ukraine as a country in ruins outside its capital, Kyiv, with a diminishing population due to war casualties and emigration. He questioned whether Ukraine had leverage in negotiating a peace deal, stating, “Any deal — the worst deal — would’ve been better than what we have now. It would’ve been much better if they made a bad deal.”
Trump said that if Ukraine had conceded some territory early on, “everybody would be living, and every building would be built.” He added, “The country is in rubble. The people are dead.”
Zelenskyy’s Victory Plan
Zelenskyy is expected to propose a “victory plan” to the White House, which could include requests to use long-range Western weapons to target Russian forces. This plan, while potentially beneficial for Ukraine, could also escalate the conflict and lead to further casualties.
Blaming Biden for the Conflict
Trump laid the blame for the war squarely on President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing them of escalating the conflict by providing military and financial aid to Ukraine. According to Trump, Biden should have pushed Ukraine to cede territory rather than defend itself.
“Biden and Kamala allowed this to happen by feeding Zelenskyy money and munitions like no country has ever seen before,” Trump said.
Putin’s Role in the War
While Trump did not directly criticize Putin’s motives for launching the invasion, he suggested that the Russian leader would not have attacked if Trump had remained in office. “He’s no angel,” Trump said of Putin but stopped short of condemning his actions.
As the war continues, Trump’s comments underscore his controversial stance on the conflict, positioning himself as a potential negotiator if he returns to power.