Donald Trump has stated that 'Russians have the cards' in potential peace negotiations to end the war in Ukraine because they have 'taken a lot of territory' since 2022 invasion. Speaking to the BBC aboard Air Force One, the U.S. president expressed confidence that Russia wants an end to the war and said he trusts Moscow’s intentions.
His remarks follow a diplomatic rift with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom Trump recently called a "dictator." Zelenskyy dismissed Trump's stance, accusing him of operating in a "disinformation space" shaped by Russian narratives.
During his speech at a Saudi-backed investment event in Florida, Trump again referred to Zelenskyy as a "dictator," citing Ukraine’s suspension of elections under martial law. He also claimed, without evidence, that Zelenskyy's approval rating had plummeted to 4%, though independent polling indicates a majority of Ukrainians still support their leader.
Trump's comments align with Moscow’s position and contrast sharply with the views of many European leaders. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticised Trump’s characterisation of Zelenskyy, calling it "wrong and dangerous."
Meanwhile, U.S. and Russian officials recently held high-level talks in Saudi Arabia, with Ukraine notably absent. Trump suggested that Kyiv should have "made a deal" to avoid the war, a statement that has sparked further controversy.
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