MIAMI (AP) — Former President Donald Trump recently sent a strong message to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He advised Zelenskyy to act quickly to negotiate an end to Russia’s invasion, warning that otherwise, Ukraine might lose its independence.
This warning comes as tensions rise between Trump and Zelenskyy, along with increasing frustration from U.S. allies in Europe. Trump criticized Zelenskyy in a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform, labeling him a “dictator without elections.” This remark followed Zelenskyy’s assertion that Trump was falling for Russian disinformation as he pushed for peace talks that favor Moscow.
Trump’s comments reflected his view that Zelenskyy persuaded the U.S. to spend significantly on a war that he claims was unnecessary. He stated, “A modestly successful comedian, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, got the U.S. to spend $350 billion on a war that couldn’t be won and never should have started.” Zelenskyy, who was a popular TV star before entering politics, has faced challenges due to the ongoing conflict, which has led to postponing elections scheduled for April 2024.
Frustrated by Zelenskyy’s critique, Trump accused him of misusing American aid and leveraging the Biden administration for his gains. The back-and-forth intensified with Vice President JD Vance suggesting that Zelenskyy’s public criticisms would not help his case. Vance said, “Everyone who knows the president will tell you this is an atrocious way to deal.”
The exchange occurred after U.S. and Russian officials met to discuss possibly ending the war, but neither Ukrainian nor European representatives were present. Trump emphasized the need for Zelenskyy to negotiate swiftly, saying, “He better move fast or he is not going to have a country left.”
Trump asserted that he could effectively negotiate peace with Russia, claiming that the current administration has failed. He even suggested that Ukraine played a role in starting the conflict, a claim that led to backlash from Senate leaders. Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer found it appalling that Trump would side with Russian President Vladimir Putin instead of supporting Ukraine. Senator John Kennedy also disagreed, stating, “I think Vladimir Putin started the war. He’s a gangster with a black heart.”
Further complicating matters, Zelenskyy instructed his ministers not to endorse a U.S. proposal to access Ukraine’s critical minerals, arguing that the agreement focused too much on American interests without providing adequate security guarantees in return.
Despite the tension, retired U.S. Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, met with Ukrainian officials, emphasizing the urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis. “It’s an egregious war in terms of time and casualties,” Kellogg noted, highlighting the suffering caused by the ongoing conflict.
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