U.S. President Donald Trump has caused a stir by suggesting that Ukraine may not survive the war with Russia.
In an interview with Fox News that aired on Sunday, the U.S. president was asked whether he was comfortable with the fact that he had stopped aid to the country and that Ukraine might not survive this.
Trump replied: “well, it might not survive anyway.’’
With regard to Russia’s more than three-year war against its neighbour, Trump went on to say that “it takes two’’ to engage in a conflict.
“So now we are stuck with this mess,’’ he added.
Under Trump, the U.S. government has made a radical U-turn in its policy on Ukraine, most recently ending support for Kiev altogether at least for the time being.
The White House said this was to force Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky into peace negotiations.
Trump had previously blamed Zelensky for the war which began when Russia attacked Ukraine; the U.S. president accuses the Ukrainian leader of not wanting to end the war.
Trump has also called the Ukrainian president a “dictator’’ during a meeting at the White House, the two had a major falling out in front of the world’s media.
Trump claimed he was tough on Russia
Recently, Trump and Zelensky got along better again, but U.S. aid to Ukraine remained on hold.
And overall, the U.S. president has recently taken a strikingly pro-Russia position in the conflict.
Trump rejects accusations, however, that he is taking sides with Moscow.
He claimed that he has been “very tough with Russia, tougher than anyone has ever been to Russia.’’
He cited his opposition to the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline between Russia and Germany during his first term in office (2017-2021).
The underwater pipeline was completed in 2021 but never went into commercial operation.
Zelensky and Rubio heading to Saudi Arabia for talks
After the first exploratory talks between Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators in Saudi Arabia on a possible path to peace in Ukraine, Zelensky is now also planning to travel to Jeddah.
“Tomorrow we will continue working for peace I will visit Saudi Arabia.’’
He confirmed this on Sunday evening in his daily video address, in which he also confirmed his participation in the negotiations.
The first talks between the negotiators have already been satisfactory, Zelensky added.
“We hope for results, both in terms of peace and further support.’’
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also taking part in the talks with Ukraine in Saudi Arabia.
Rubio will leave for Jeddah on Monday to discuss a possible peace solution with the Ukrainian side for the Russian war of aggression against the country, the U.S. State Department in Washington announced.
Among the Ukrainians present at the meeting in Saudi Arabia, in addition to Zelensky, were his chief of staff Andrii Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Defence Minister Rustem Umerov.
Rubio would also meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah.
On Wednesday, the secretary will then travel on to Canada for a meeting with his counterparts from the other G7 states.
