US President Donald Trump has said that Ukraine has shown 'zero gratitude' towards Washington, and condemned Europe to continue to buy Russian oil despite sanctions.
US president Donald Trump took to social media platform TRUTH to criticise Ukraine’s government, claiming it had shown “zero gratitude” for US support, while accusing European nations of continuing to buy Russian oil despite sanctions. As well as, once again reiterating that the war in Ukraine would have "Never happened" if he had been in office at the time of Russia's full scale invasion.
In a statement published on Sunday, Trump described the war as “violent and terrible,” and continues to claim that "the 2020 Presidential Election" was "RIGGED & STOLEN,".
Trump argued that a “strong and proper US and Ukrainian leadership” could have prevented the conflict.
Describing the war as “a loser for everyone”, Trump said he had “inherited a war that should have never happened,” blaming what he characterised as needless loss of life on failed leadership in both Washington and Kyiv.
Hours after the message was published by Trump, on social media X Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Russia as the only ones responsible for the war in Ukraine "The crux of the entire diplomatic situation is that it was Russia, and only Russia, that started this war, and it is Russia, and only Russia", Zelenskyy wrote.
According to Zelenskyy, Russian commanders operate under explicit orders that permit unrestricted brutality, contributing to the high death toll on the front line and the continued strikes on Ukrainian cities. He also accused Russia of abducting Ukrainian children and attempting to “re-educate” them to eventually fight against their own country.
However, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the United States and its allies, thanking “every American heart” and Trump for assistance that he said has been “saving Ukrainian lives”, beginning with early deliveries of Javelin anti-tank systems. He also acknowledged support from Europe, the G7 and the G20, urging partners to keep up their support.
As Ukraine’s peace talks have dominated the global agenda in recent days, Western allies, the United States and Ukraine have been holding parallel meetings. In South Africa, EU partners on Saturday reviewed the peace plan proposed by Washington, while leaders on Sunday in Geneva continue negotiations.