In brief
During a return flight from a Saudi-backed investment meeting, former President Trump conveyed to the BBC his belief that Russia possesses the upper hand in peace negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, accusing Ukrainian President Zelensky of being undemocratic. Trump's statements followed recent high-level talks between US and Russian officials, in which Ukraine was notably excluded, provoking backlash from European leaders and prompting Zelensky to refute Trump's claims.
Former President Donald Trump stated in an interview that he believes Russia "has the cards" in the ongoing peace negotiations for Ukraine, attributing their advantageous position to significant territorial gains made during the conflict. Speaking to the BBC aboard Air Force One, Trump expressed trust in Russia's desire to conclude the war, which began with their full-scale invasion nearly three years ago.The comments came as Trump returned to Washington DC after a controversial speech at a Saudi-backed investment event in Florida, where he labeled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a "dictator" multiple times. This characterization has drawn ire from various political leaders, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemning the assertion as both inaccurate and harmful.Reflecting on Zelensky's criticism of US-Russia negotiations held in Saudi Arabia, from which Ukraine was excluded, Trump expressed frustration over Zelensky's handling of the war. He suggested that Ukraine bore responsibility for the ongoing conflict, asserting that the nation should have pursued negotiation options earlier to avoid the current state of affairs.In the wake of Trump's remarks, polls indicate approximately 57% of Ukrainians support President Zelensky, a stark contrast to Trump's claims regarding his approval ratings. Zelensky rebutted Trump's statements by affirming that he is operating outside of constructive reality, labeling the encounters between US and Russian officials as "notorious."As tensions continue to simmer and negotiations unfold, Trump's rhetoric signals a shifting perspective on the conflict, potentially influencing future US policy toward Ukraine. European leaders have emphasized the importance of recognizing Zelensky's democratically elected status, pushing back against Trump’s dismissal of Ukrainian leadership amidst the war.
