Trump criticizes Ukraine war/ Trump calls Ukraine ruined/ Trump blames U.S. support for Ukraine/ Newslooks/ Washington/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Former President Donald Trump criticized Ukraine’s defense against Russia, describing the country as “demolished” and suggesting that Ukraine should have made concessions to avoid the war. He blamed President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for prolonging the conflict by supporting Ukraine with military aid. Trump’s remarks sparked pushback from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said Trump doesn’t understand how to stop the war.
Quick Looks
- Donald Trump described Ukraine as “demolished” and suggested it should have made concessions to Russia before the 2022 invasion.
- He argued that “even the worst deal” before the war would have been better than the current devastation.
- Trump blamed President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for prolonging the conflict by supporting Ukraine with military aid.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Trump’s approach, saying Trump doesn’t understand how to end the war.
- Trump did not directly criticize Russian President Vladimir Putin for the invasion, but remarked that Putin is “no angel.”
Trump Calls Ukraine ‘Demolished,’ Criticizes U.S. Support
Deep Look
Former President Donald Trump painted a bleak picture of Ukraine during a speech on Wednesday, describing the country as “demolished” and arguing that Ukraine should have made concessions to Russia to avoid its current devastation. Speaking at an economic event in North Carolina, Trump criticized the state of the war in Ukraine and questioned what could be left to negotiate in terms of a peace deal, given the toll the conflict has taken on the nation.
Trump has long expressed skepticism about U.S. support for Ukraine, often suggesting that the war could have been avoided or ended quickly had he been in office. On Wednesday, he argued that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should have made compromises with Russian President Vladimir Putin before the invasion, even if it meant making a “bad deal.”
“Any deal—the worst deal—would’ve been better than what we have now,” Trump told his audience. “If they made a bad deal, it would’ve been much better. They would’ve given up a little bit, and everybody would be living.”
Criticizing Ukraine’s Leadership and Defense
Trump’s remarks came just days after Zelenskyy, who is visiting the U.S. to attend the U.N. General Assembly, criticized Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance, for their positions on the war. Zelenskyy, in a recent interview with The New Yorker, said that Vance was “too radical” for suggesting that Ukraine should give up territory to Russia and questioned Trump’s ability to end the war.
During his North Carolina speech, Trump referenced Zelenskyy’s comments with frustration. “The president of Ukraine is in our country and he’s making little nasty aspersions toward your favorite president, me,” Trump said.
He went on to argue that Ukraine is now “in rubble,” lacking the military strength to continue fighting effectively. “What deal can we make? It’s demolished,” Trump said. “The people are dead. The country is in rubble.”
Blaming Biden for the War
Trump also blamed President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for their role in supporting Ukraine’s defense, arguing that their decision to provide military aid and financial support encouraged the conflict. “Biden and Kamala allowed this to happen by feeding Zelenskyy money and munitions like no country has ever seen before,” Trump said.
The former president’s remarks come amid a growing divide within the Republican Party over support for Ukraine. While some GOP leaders back continued military aid to counter Russian aggression, others—like Trump—are increasingly questioning the U.S. involvement in the conflict.
Trump has frequently stated that Putin would not have invaded Ukraine if Trump had been in office, claiming that he could have negotiated peace. However, he has rarely elaborated on how he would have achieved this. Notably, Trump refrained from directly condemning Putin for launching the invasion, though he did acknowledge, “He’s no angel.”
Ukraine’s Ongoing Struggles
Ukraine has defied early expectations that it would quickly fall to Russia’s military, but the country has suffered severe losses in its third year of war. With nearly 20% of its territory under Russian control, Ukraine’s forces are outnumbered and engaged in prolonged battles in the east. The war has claimed tens of thousands of Ukrainian lives and displaced millions of citizens.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy continues to advocate for additional Western support. His recent visit to the U.S. included efforts to secure long-range Western weapons, which would enable Ukraine to strike Russian targets deep within its territory. However, the Biden administration has so far hesitated to grant such requests.
Trump’s Position on Ukraine and Russia
Trump’s consistent stance against the U.S. involvement in the war aligns with his broader foreign policy views, which prioritize America First and reducing military entanglements overseas. He often touts his administration’s efforts to keep the U.S. out of conflicts and uses Ukraine as an example of what he sees as unnecessary foreign intervention.
However, his reluctance to directly criticize Putin or Russia’s role in the invasion has drawn scrutiny from critics, who accuse him of downplaying Russian aggression. Despite this, Trump remains popular among many Republican voters who view his non-interventionist approach as a refreshing alternative to decades of U.S. military engagement abroad.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, Trump’s views on Ukraine and Russia could become a central issue in his campaign, particularly as Ukraine’s allies continue to push for more robust Western support to counter Russian advances.
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