Trump Blames Zelensky for Ukraine War

Donald Trump blamed Ukrainian President Zelensky for the ongoing war, stating, “He should never have allowed this war to begin. This war is a loss.” This view starkly contrasts with global recognition of Russia as the aggressor, as Russia initiated the conflict by invading Ukraine using hybrid tactics in 2014, and more openly in February 2022. Ukraine has been defending its sovereignty against Russian aggression since then. Trump’s remarks follow his pattern of downplaying Putin’s role and praising him, which he has done throughout his presidency, often questioning U.S. opposition to Russia.

During his presidency and afterward, Trump has repeatedly shown a favorable stance toward Putin, questioning U.S. foreign policy toward Russia. His recent comments highlight his belief that Ukraine could have negotiated with Russia to avoid the war, despite Russia’s invasion being the clear start of the conflict. His sympathetic views toward Putin’s regime and his criticism of Ukraine, despite its defensive position, raise concerns about how he might handle U.S. support for Ukraine in a future term.