Former President Donald Trump has asserted that Ukraine could have avoided the ongoing conflict by negotiating a deal, responding to President Volodymyr Zelensky’s disappointment over Ukraine’s exclusion from recent peace talks in Saudi Arabia.
During his remarks at Mar-a-Lago, Trump expressed that the “old days” of unwavering U.S. support for Europe are over, stating, “You should have never started it. You could have made a deal.” He emphasized that he could have secured a favorable deal for Ukraine, preserving much of its territory and preventing loss of life.
The comments came after a meeting in Riyadh that included U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian officials, where discussions were held about the potential for ending the war. Trump noted, “I think I have the power to end this war,” and he supported the potential for European countries to send troops to Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov commented that Russia would not permit NATO peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, firmly stating that any foreign military presence would be unacceptable. He also revealed plans for the U.S. and Russia to appoint ambassadors to improve cooperation.
As discussions continued, Rubio expressed optimism about Russia’s willingness to engage in meaningful negotiations, acknowledging that concessions would need to be made by all parties involved. The European Union’s involvement in future talks was deemed essential given their sanctions related to the conflict.
In response to the recent developments, Zelensky conveyed his frustration, emphasizing that any decisions made regarding the war must include Ukraine. He stated, “You cannot make decisions without Ukraine on how to end the war in Ukraine,” indicating that Ukraine’s future relies heavily on continued U.S. support.
Zelensky’s concerns are exacerbated by the evident camaraderie between American and Russian officials during the Riyadh talks, leaving him apprehensive about negotiations occurring without adequate representation for Ukraine.
Credit: BBC News
