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Amid the brewing tensions, US President Donald Trump hinted that Ukraine “may not survive” the war against Russia, even if America’s support continues. The proclamation from the president came during his interview with Fox News. When asked about his administration’s controversial decision to pause support to Ukraine as it fights with Russia, Trump noted that the country has some ‘weaknesses. '
The remarks from Trump came a week after Poland’s President Andrzej Duda said “that without American support, Ukraine will not survive”. When asked for his reaction to the Polish leader’s comment, Trump said, “Well, it may not survive anyway.”
“You know, we have some weaknesses with Russia. You know, it takes two. Look, it was not going to happen; it happened. So now we’re stuck with this mess. Think of what he [Biden] stuck me with,” Trump said, claiming that former US President Joe Biden left him with two wars and a border crisis.
Concerns over US support to Ukraine
The comments from Trump came at a time when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit Saudi Arabia for a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, on Monday. Ukraine’s diplomatic and military representatives are also scheduled to meet with a US delegation on Tuesday.
There have been growing global concerns over the souring ties between the United States and Ukraine after Trump clashed with Zelenskyy over the war and the mineral deal at the White House. Following the highly public spat, the US paused military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
When asked if the POTUS is expecting Zelenskyy to come back and sign the earth minerals deal, Trump gave a crisp response: “Yeah, I think so. I think it’ll.” Trump insisted that the raw minerals in Ukraine are valuable and would help the United States in the long run. “I’ve had a check. It’s very valuable. And with all that being said, Biden should have never put up $350 billion. He should have equalized with Europe. All he had to do was say, you got to stay even with us,” he said, taking another potshot at his predecessor.
“We’re not in the danger that they [Europe] are there, or much greater danger if you call it danger. He should have never done that. You know, the other thing with Europe that bothers me? They’ve given Russia more money by far for buying their oil than they put into Ukraine. So they’re paying all this money to Russia, and we’re in there for $350 billion. Biden should have never done,” he furthered.
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A recent report from NBC News suggested that Trump had privately told his aides that the signed minerals deal between Washington and Kyiv would not be enough to restart aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. The 78-year-old president laid out three conditions to resume talks between the two nations.
As per the report, apart from signing the mineral deal, Trump wants to see a change in Zelenskyy’s attitude towards peace talks. Sources also told NBC News that the president wants his Ukrainian counterpart to make some movement towards holding elections in Ukraine and possibly stepping down as his country’s leader. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy made it clear that he would step down if Ukraine becomes the member of NATO .
With inputs from agencies.