US President Donald Trump on Monday escalated his criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of sharing responsibility for “millions” of deaths in Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. In remarks to reporters, Trump placed Zelenskyy alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and then-US President Joe Biden, saying all three bore blame for the bloodshed since the war began in February 2022.
“There were millions of people dead because of three people,” Trump said during a meeting with El Salvador’s president. “Let’s say Putin number one, but let’s say Biden, who had no idea what the hell he was doing, number two, and Zelenskyy.”
The Republican president further criticised Zelenskyy’s military strategy and continued appeals for Western weapons. “He’s always looking to purchase missiles,” Trump said, dismissing Ukraine’s defence efforts. “When you start a war, you got to know that you can win the war. You don’t start a war against somebody that’s 20 times your size, and then hope that people give you some missiles.”
Tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy have flared in recent weeks, particularly after a televised Oval Office clash on February 28. Ahead of that meeting, Trump had repeatedly echoed Kremlin talking points, calling Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections” and blaming Kyiv for provoking the conflict.
Despite Zelenskyy’s efforts to rebuild ties — including sending a delegation to Washington last week to discuss a proposed minerals deal — Trump has intensified his rhetoric. The US president, however, claimed a peace deal was still possible.
“I want to stop the killing, and I think we’re doing well in that regard. I think you’ll have some very good proposals very soon,” he said.
His comments came in the wake of a deadly Russian missile strike on Sumy , eastern Ukraine, on Sunday that killed at least 35 people — one of the deadliest attacks of the war. While Trump labelled the strike a “mistake,” he did not provide further details. Russia maintained its missiles had targeted a meeting of Ukrainian army commanders .
In a CBS interview aired Sunday, Zelenskyy urged Trump to visit Ukraine and witness firsthand the destruction caused by the invasion.
“There were millions of people dead because of three people,” Trump said during a meeting with El Salvador’s president. “Let’s say Putin number one, but let’s say Biden, who had no idea what the hell he was doing, number two, and Zelenskyy.”
The Republican president further criticised Zelenskyy’s military strategy and continued appeals for Western weapons. “He’s always looking to purchase missiles,” Trump said, dismissing Ukraine’s defence efforts. “When you start a war, you got to know that you can win the war. You don’t start a war against somebody that’s 20 times your size, and then hope that people give you some missiles.”
Tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy have flared in recent weeks, particularly after a televised Oval Office clash on February 28. Ahead of that meeting, Trump had repeatedly echoed Kremlin talking points, calling Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections” and blaming Kyiv for provoking the conflict.
Despite Zelenskyy’s efforts to rebuild ties — including sending a delegation to Washington last week to discuss a proposed minerals deal — Trump has intensified his rhetoric. The US president, however, claimed a peace deal was still possible.
“I want to stop the killing, and I think we’re doing well in that regard. I think you’ll have some very good proposals very soon,” he said.
His comments came in the wake of a deadly Russian missile strike on Sumy , eastern Ukraine, on Sunday that killed at least 35 people — one of the deadliest attacks of the war. While Trump labelled the strike a “mistake,” he did not provide further details. Russia maintained its missiles had targeted a meeting of Ukrainian army commanders .
In a CBS interview aired Sunday, Zelenskyy urged Trump to visit Ukraine and witness firsthand the destruction caused by the invasion.
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