Trump blames Ukraine for prolonged conflict after Zelensky’s exclusion from peace talks

Donald Trump has openly criticized Ukraine following President Volodymyr Zelensky’s surprise and disappointment over not being invited to peace negotiations in Saudi Arabia aimed at resolving the ongoing war with Russia. Trump, speaking from his Mar-a-Lago estate, expressed his dissatisfaction with Ukraine’s stance, suggesting that the country was at fault for the escalation and duration of the conflict.

The war was ignited by a full-scale Russian invasion nearly three years ago, but Trump argued that Ukraine “could have made a deal” much earlier to prevent the bloodshed and destruction. His comments came after a significant diplomatic engagement in Riyadh where Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This was the first high-level, direct discussion between the two nations since the onset of hostilities, leading to an agreement to form negotiation teams to seek an end to the war.

During these talks, Lavrov firmly stated Russia’s opposition to NATO peacekeeping forces in Ukraine under any peace agreement, countering a suggestion made at a recent NATO meeting in Paris among European members.

Trump’s approach has stirred controversy among European NATO allies, who have felt marginalized by his unilateral moves, which starkly contrast with the staunch pro-Ukraine policies of his predecessor, Joe Biden. Zelensky, in response to his country’s exclusion from the discussions, accused the Russian delegation of deceit and emphasized the need for pressure on Russia to achieve peace.

In his interaction with BBC News, Trump suggested that Ukraine had ample opportunities in the past to negotiate a deal which could have preserved nearly all its territory without the loss of life or urban devastation. He claimed, “I could have made a deal for Ukraine… That would have given them almost all of the land, everything, almost all of the land – and no people would have killed, and no city would have been demolished.”

Following the Riyadh meeting, Trump expressed optimism, stating, “They were very good. Russia wants to do something. They want to stop the savage barbarianism.” His remarks underline his belief in a potential shift towards peace, albeit with a narrative that places significant responsibility on Ukraine for the conflict’s persistence.