Trump Blames Ukrainian President for Russia’s Invasion and Deaths
WASHINGTON: Former US President Donald Trump is once again pointing fingers at Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding the ongoing conflict with Russia. On Monday, Trump accused Zelensky of being responsible for “millions” of deaths linked to the invasion, which Russia initiated in February 2022.
In a conversation with reporters, Trump mentioned that both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin shared responsibility, along with then-President Joe Biden. He stated, "There are millions of people dead because of three people," naming Putin as the central figure and criticizing Biden’s leadership as ineffective.
Trump’s criticism of Zelensky didn’t stop there. He claimed that Zelensky is always trying to acquire missiles, seemingly dismissing the Ukrainian leader’s need to bolster his nation’s defenses against Russian aggression. "When you start a war, you need to understand that you can win it," Trump stated, highlighting his view that Ukraine shouldn’t have engaged in a conflict against a much larger adversary without substantial support.
Tensions Between Trump and Zelensky
The relationship between Trump and Zelensky has been strained, particularly after Trump publicly engaged with Russia earlier this year. Some statements made by Trump have echoed Russian narratives, blaming Ukraine for the war and labeling Zelensky as a "dictator without elections."
Despite these tensions, Zelensky has made efforts to mend relations. Recently, he sent a delegation to the US to discuss a mineral deal that would grant the US better access to Ukrainian resources, which Trump had previously mentioned.
Yet Trump has ramped up his criticisms in recent days. He maintained that a resolution to the war could be within reach, even as accusations mount that Russia is dragging its feet on negotiations. "I want to stop the killing, and I think we’re doing well in that regard. Very good proposals will come soon," Trump remarked.
These comments come in the wake of a tragic Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy on Sunday, which resulted in at least 35 casualties, marking one of the deadliest assaults in the ongoing conflict. While Trump referred to the attack as a "mistake," Russia claimed that it targeted a meeting of Ukrainian military leaders.
In a CBS interview aired on Sunday, Zelensky urged Trump to visit Ukraine to witness firsthand the devastation caused by the Russian invasion.
