Former U.S. President Donald Trump unleashes a series of criticisms against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky amid peace talks between American and Russian officials.
According to Daily Mail, Trump took to Truth Social to lambast Zelensky as a "dictator" who "played Biden like a fiddle" while warning the Ukrainian leader that he might not have a country left if he doesn't act swiftly.
The former president's comments came after U.S. negotiators began discussions with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia, notably excluding Ukraine from the talks. Trump accused Zelensky of mismanaging $350 billion in U.S. aid and claimed that half of the money sent to Ukraine was "missing." He also criticized Zelensky for not holding elections and having low approval ratings in his country.
During a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, Trump expressed confidence in the ongoing negotiations between U.S. and Russian officials.
The talks involved Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and Vladimir Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov. Trump described the discussions as "very good" and suggested that Russia wants to end what he called "savage barbarianism."
Trump dismissed complaints about Ukraine's exclusion from the talks, suggesting that Ukrainian leadership could have prevented the war. He emphasized his belief that he could have secured a deal giving Ukraine "almost all of the land" without any casualties or destruction. The former president also supported the idea of requiring Ukraine to hold new elections before implementing any peace plan.
The negotiations coincided with reports of renewed Russian drone attacks on Kyiv, highlighting the ongoing violence despite diplomatic efforts. Trump acknowledged the extensive destruction in Ukraine, noting that many cities have been reduced to "massive demolition sites."
Discussions about potential European peacekeeping forces emerged during the talks. Trump expressed support for European involvement while stating that U.S. forces would not be necessary due to geographical distance.
However, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov rejected British PM Keir Starmer's peacekeeping proposals, declaring that NATO nations cannot patrol Russia's border with Ukraine "under some other flag."
In a parallel development, Russia's Direct Investment Fund head Kirill Dmitriev revealed discussions about potential cooperation between the U.S. and Russia in Arctic oil drilling. He mentioned the possibility of U.S. oil companies returning to Russian projects that were abandoned after Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
Trump commented on these possibilities, suggesting that American oil companies might resume their operations in Russia to access natural resources. This potential cooperation marks a significant shift in U.S.-Russia relations amid ongoing tensions over Ukraine.
Trump's aggressive stance toward Zelensky and the exclusion of Ukraine from peace talks marks a significant shift in the diplomatic approach to ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The former president's criticism of Zelensky's leadership and handling of U.S. aid has intensified as American officials engage directly with Russian counterparts in Saudi Arabia.
While Trump expresses optimism about reaching a peace agreement, the discussions have sparked controversy over Ukraine's absence from negotiations that will determine its future. The talks also opened possibilities for U.S.-Russia cooperation in Arctic oil drilling, suggesting potential economic ties despite ongoing geopolitical tensions.
