Trump Blames Ukraine’s Zelenskyy For War, Hints At Shifting US Policy Towards Russia

Washington: Donald Trump , the former US President and Republican presidential candidate, has sparked debate by blaming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for helping start the war with Russia. In a recent interview on the PBD Podcast, Trump outright blamed Zelenskyy for the ongoing war with Russia. Amidst America’s long-standing faceoff with Russia, the former US President’s comment has raised eyebrows, suggesting a significant shift in US policy towards Russia if Trump wins the upcoming presidential election.

Trump Criticises Zelenskyy

Trump has been a vocal critic of Zelenskyy, frequently calling him out as the “greatest salesman on earth” on the campaign trail for making demands and receiving billions of dollars in US military aid since the war broke out in 2022. Trump has also slammed Zelenskyy for not seeking peace with Moscow and has suggested that Ukraine may need to cede some of its land to Russia in order to reach a peace deal - a concession that Kyiv has deemed unacceptable.

War’s a Loser: Trump

In his latest comments, Trump went a step further, stating that Zelenskyy was responsible for starting the war. He claimed Zelenskyy should never have let the war start and that it's a "loser." Despite this, Trump expressed sympathy for the Ukrainian people. "That doesn't mean I don't want to help him because I feel very badly for those people," Trump said. "But he should never have let that war start. The war's a loser."

Trump’s Comment Contrast With Kamala Harris

Donald Trump ’s comment has sparked concern among those who fear that Trump may wind down aid for Ukraine if he wins the election, which contrasts with Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, who has pledged to continue supporting Ukraine and has rebuked Trump for not standing up to Russian President Vladimir Putin . Notably, Harris has also emphasised the importance of a Ukrainian victory, calling it a vital US national security interest.

Trump's comments have sparked a heated debate about US foreign policy and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He has claimed he could end the conflict before taking office in January but hasn't provided details. The situation remains uncertain, with significant implications for US foreign policy.