Trump Suggests Ukraine Should Have Avoided Fighting Against Russia
Former President Claims War Could Have Been Prevented Through Negotiation
WASHINGTON — In a recent interview, former President Donald Trump suggested that Ukraine should not have resisted Russia’s invasion, implying that a diplomatic deal could have prevented the ongoing war.
"Zelenskyy was fighting a much bigger entity, much bigger, much more powerful," Trump told Fox News' Sean Hannity in an interview aired Thursday night. "He shouldn’t have done that, because we could have made a deal."
Trump reiterated his stance that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should have negotiated with Russian President Vladimir Putin instead of engaging in military conflict.
"I could have made that deal so easily, and Zelenskyy decided that 'I want to fight,'" Trump claimed.
The former president also emphasized Russia’s military superiority, citing the disparity in the number of tanks between the two nations.
"You don’t fight those," Trump added, seemingly implying that resistance against such an overwhelming force was futile.
White House and Ukrainian Officials Remain Silent
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Trump’s remarks, nor did the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington.
The war, which began in February 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties. Ukraine, a U.S. ally, has received substantial military and financial support from the Biden administration, while Russia has faced international sanctions.
Contrasting Approaches to the Conflict
During his presidency, Joe Biden has remained a staunch supporter of Ukraine, advocating for aid packages and implementing sanctions against Russia in response to its aggression. In contrast, Trump has repeatedly questioned U.S. involvement in the conflict and has taken a more critical stance toward Zelenskyy.
In the Fox News interview, Trump described Zelenskyy as "no angel" and blamed him for allowing the war to escalate. However, Trump also warned that if Russia does not seek a resolution soon, the United States would impose "massive tariffs" and "big sanctions" on Moscow.
Despite claiming he could end the war "within one day," Trump has not provided specifics on how he would negotiate peace between the warring nations. So far, there are no indications that the conflict is nearing resolution.
Past Meetings and Statements
Trump met with Zelenskyy in September, where he claimed he could broker a deal that would be "good for both sides."
"We’re going to work very much with both parties to try and get this settled and get it worked out," Trump told reporters before their meeting.
That same month, Trump also referred to Putin as "no angel" during a campaign rally, echoing his more neutral stance on the Russian leader.
Trump’s comments on Ukraine came during a two-part interview with Fox News, recorded on Wednesday, with the second installment airing Thursday.
As the war in Ukraine continues, Trump’s remarks have sparked debate over the role of diplomacy, military resistance, and the U.S. commitment to its allies. Whether his proposed approach would have altered the course of the conflict remains a contentious question in the ongoing political landscape.