President Donald Trump raised eyebrows on Tuesday with a controversial statement suggesting that Ukraine might bear some responsibility for Russia’s invasion of the country three years ago. Trump argued that Kyiv could have potentially avoided the conflict by making a deal with Russia. Criticizing President Zelenskyy for expressing concern about his country not being included in U.S.-Russia talks, Trump remarked, “You should have never started it.” He further claimed that he could have negotiated a deal with Ukraine that would have prevented casualties and destruction.
In response to Trump’s comments, Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of Ukraine being included in discussions about ending the war on its soil. Meanwhile, Russian officials seemed optimistic about the shift in U.S. foreign policy, with Foreign Minister Lavrov commending Trump for acknowledging past mistakes that led to the Ukrainian crisis.
The U.S. and Russia also agreed to re-establish embassy staffing on Tuesday, a departure from previous American policy. Trump’s recent statements have drawn attention for aligning with Russian interests, including his suggestion that Ukraine should not have resisted the Russian invasion. Furthermore, Trump hinted at the possibility of Ukraine holding new elections as part of a peace deal with Russia, echoing sentiments expressed by Putin regarding Zelenskyy’s legitimacy.
Ukraine held its most recent presidential election in 2019 and was scheduled to have another one in April of the following year. However, President Zelenskyy has emphasized that voting during wartime is not feasible, a stance supported by the country’s constitution. A recent opinion poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology revealed that 57% of Ukrainians express confidence in Zelenskyy’s leadership.
