Former President Donald Trump delivered a somber assessment of Ukraine during an economic speech in North Carolina, calling the country ‘demolished’ and its people ‘dead.’ Trump criticized Ukraine for not making concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin prior to Russia’s February 2022 invasion, suggesting that any deal, even a bad one, would have been better than the current situation. He expressed confidence that he could end the war if he were to return to the White House.
Trump’s comments come amid ongoing debate over his stance on the conflict in Ukraine. He refused to explicitly state whether he wanted Ukraine to emerge victorious in the war during a recent discussion, highlighting his complex views on the situation. The former president has frequently criticized U.S. aid to Ukraine, claiming that Russia would not have invaded under his leadership. He has also praised the military prowess of Russia and the Soviet Union.
During his speech, Trump also took aim at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, referencing Zelenskyy’s recent remarks about him and his running mate JD Vance. Zelenskyy, who is in the U.S. for the U.N. General Assembly, has been critical of Trump’s approach to ending the conflict, calling Vance too radical and questioning Trump’s ability to stop the war.
Painting a grim picture of Ukraine’s situation, Trump described the country as being in ruins with a dwindling population and limited military resources. He questioned Ukraine’s ability to negotiate a favorable end to the war, suggesting that the country may have few bargaining chips left. Zelenskyy, meanwhile, is pushing for a ‘victory plan’ that includes using Western weapons to target Russian forces.
While Ukraine has defied expectations by holding off Russian advances, its forces continue to face significant challenges in the conflict. Trump placed blame for the situation on President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing them of escalating tensions by providing substantial support to Ukraine. He criticized Biden for not pressuring Ukraine to cede territory to Russia as a means of preventing further conflict.
Interestingly, Trump did not criticize Putin’s rationale for the invasion, instead focusing on what he believes would have been a different outcome had he been in power. He acknowledged Putin’s actions while emphasizing that he is not without fault. Trump’s views on the conflict in Ukraine continue to be a topic of debate and scrutiny as the situation unfolds.