Former President Donald Trump has directed criticism towards Ukraine following comments made by President Volodymyr Zelensky, who expressed surprise at not being invited to peace talks in Saudi Arabia aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict with Russia. Trump’s remarks suggest he holds Ukraine partially responsible for the war, asserting that it ‘could have made a deal’ earlier on.
The conflict, which erupted nearly three years ago with a full-scale Russian invasion, has seen significant developments recently. In Riyadh, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in crucial discussions, marking the first high-level dialogue between the two nations since the onset of the invasion.
Trump’s stance on the Ukraine conflict
During a press briefing at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump addressed concerns from Ukrainians feeling sidelined in the peace process. He remarked, “I hear that they’re upset about not having a seat, well, they’ve had a seat for three years and a long time before that. This could have been settled very easily.” He further stated, “You should have never started it. You could have made a deal.” Trump claimed he had the ability to broker a peace agreement that would have preserved much of Ukraine’s land while preventing loss of life and destruction.
Post-meeting, Trump expressed optimism, stating, “They were very good,” and noted that Russia appeared eager to engage in dialogue to halt what he termed ‘savage barbarianism.’ He asserted, “I think I have the power to end this war,” reinforcing his belief in his potential role in the negotiations.
International views and reactions
As discussions progressed, Trump commented on the possibility of European nations contributing troops to Ukraine, indicating his support while clarifying that the U.S. would not need to deploy forces given its distance from the conflict. In contrast, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasized that any peace deal would necessitate a “U.S. backstop” to deter future Russian aggression.
Lavrov reiterated that Russia would reject any peacekeeping forces from NATO countries as part of any agreement, stating, “Any appearance by armed forces under some other flag does not change anything.” He emphasized the need to restore cooperation between the U.S. and Russia, highlighting the importance of appointing ambassadors to each other’s nations.
Despite the high-level talks, tensions remain evident, with European leaders expressing reluctance about sending troops to Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz deemed discussions of troop deployment as “completely premature,” while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk shared a similar sentiment.
“You cannot make decisions without Ukraine on how to end the war in Ukraine,” Zelensky stated during a press conference, responding to the ongoing negotiations without his country’s presence.
The backdrop to the current situation is rooted in the historical context of the conflict, which escalated following Ukraine’s 2014 revolution that led to the overthrow of its pro-Russian president. This event triggered Russia’s annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine, culminating in the 2022 invasion. The war has resulted in significant loss of life, displacement of millions, and ongoing military confrontations, with both sides suffering heavy casualties.