Former President Donald Trump has pointed fingers at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Joe Biden for the conflict in Ukraine, during a podcast interview. Trump did not mention Russian President Vladimir Putin in relation to the Russia-Ukraine war, which began two and a half years ago.
In the interview with podcaster Patrick Bet-David, Trump expressed his belief that Zelensky and Biden were responsible for the war in Ukraine. He criticized the amount of aid given by the US to Ukraine and stated that the conflict should have been prevented from starting in the first place, calling it a “loser war.” Trump also mentioned that he “largely blames” Biden for instigating the war.
Notably, Trump claimed that if he had still been in office, the war would not have occurred, stating that Putin would not have entered Ukraine under his presidency. This statement contradicts reports that during his term in 2017, Trump had asked Putin about providing weapons to Ukraine, to which Putin allegedly advised against it.
The podcast interview comes shortly after Trump met with Zelensky in New York City, where he discussed having a good relationship with both Zelensky and Putin. These remarks from Trump raise questions about his stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and his interactions with key world leaders.
Additionally, recent revelations from Bob Woodward’s new book, “War,” have shed light on Trump’s relationship with Putin. The book mentions that Trump had sent Covid-19 tests to Putin in secret, and that the two leaders had maintained communication even after Trump left office in 2021.
Trump’s statements about Zelensky, Biden, and Putin in relation to the Russia-Ukraine conflict highlight the complex dynamics and history between the involved parties. The interview and subsequent discussions bring attention to the ongoing tensions in the region and the role of international actors in the conflict.