The President of the United States, Donald Trump, stated on Tuesday that Ukraine "should never have started" the war with Russia and that it could have avoided the conflict if it had reached an agreement with Moscow.
His statements came after discussions between U.S. and Russian officials in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which excluded Ukraine and European nations.
"Today I heard that they are upset about not being invited. Well, you've been there for three years. You should have finished it three years ago. They never should have started it," said Trump from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
The exclusion of Ukraine from the negotiations in Saudi Arabia has generated tensions. The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, described the decision as a "surprise" and postponed his scheduled trip to Riyadh.
The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, tried to calm tensions, stating that "no one is being sidelined" and that any final agreement will require the consent of Ukraine and its European allies.
Trump, however, was emphatic: "An inexperienced negotiator could have resolved this years ago without loss of life or destruction of cities." He reiterated that he could have struck a deal that would have prevented the war: "That would have given them almost all the land and no one would have died."
The meeting between the U.S. and Russia was the first high-level encounter since the start of the war and concluded with both sides committing to appoint teams to continue the negotiations.
However, the Russian Foreign Minister, Serguéi Lavrov, made it clear that Moscow will not accept any agreement that includes NATO forces in Ukraine.
Reactions in Europe were quick to follow. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that any agreement would require U.S. backing to deter Russia from future attacks.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz deemed it "premature" to discuss the deployment of European troops to Ukraine, while Italian leader Giorgia Meloni described that option as "the most complex and least effective."
Zelensky, visibly upset, stated: "We want everything to be fair and for no one to make decisions behind our backs." Tensions continue, and the future of peace negotiations remains uncertain as Ukraine feels excluded from the process.
What has happened in the days leading up to this?
United States and Russia have initiated direct negotiations to reach a peace agreement, excluding both Ukraine and the European Union.
This historical approach is being carried out with the mediation of Saudi Arabia, which has created tensions between the parties involved in the conflict.
The discussions focus on reducing military escalation and establishing a ceasefire, although without the participation of Kiev or Brussels, which could impact the legitimacy and viability of any agreement reached.
The American senator Marco Rubio has expressed his support for these negotiations, stating that only Donald Trump could establish a lasting peace treaty between the parties.
During his visit to Saudi Arabia, Rubio emphasized that the current administration is making progress on a strategic plan to pacify the region, although he acknowledges that Ukraine's exclusion could complicate the implementation and respect of any agreement reached.
Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly rejected these conversations between Washington and Moscow, deeming them unacceptable and contrary to the interests of his country. He emphasized that any negotiation that disregards Ukraine and its demands for territorial sovereignty will lack practical and political value.
Zelensky's stance could complicate peace efforts if Kyiv is not integrated into the process. The situation remains volatile, with a delicate balance between diplomacy and the reality of the conflict on the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions about Trump's Statements on Ukraine and Russia
Why does Donald Trump blame Ukraine for the war with Russia?
Donald Trump blames Ukraine for the war, claiming that Kiev could have avoided the conflict if it had reached an agreement with Moscow before the Russian invasion in 2022. According to Trump, Ukraine should have been willing to make concessions to avoid the war. These statements were made after a meeting between U.S. and Russian officials in Riyadh, from which Ukraine was excluded.
What is Volodímir Zelenski's stance on negotiations without Ukraine?
Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed his rejection of any negotiations regarding Ukraine that do not directly include his country. Zelensky described the exclusion of Ukraine from the talks in Saudi Arabia as a "surprise" and emphasized that his country will not recognize agreements reached without its participation.
What is Donald Trump's approach to resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine?
Donald Trump has stated that he could have reached an agreement that would have avoided the war. He claims that if he had been in power, the war would not have happened and has expressed interest in promoting peace negotiations. Trump also threatened new sanctions against Russia if the conflict continues and has proposed to restore embassies and normalize diplomatic relations with Moscow.
What role does Saudi Arabia play in the negotiations between the U.S. and Russia regarding Ukraine?
Saudi Arabia has acted as a mediator in the negotiations between the U.S. and Russia regarding the conflict in Ukraine. The country organized a meeting in Riyadh between officials from both countries, facilitating dialogue and the exchange of prisoners. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been instrumental in these diplomatic discussions.
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