Trump blames Biden, Zelenskyy for Ukraine war, sparking debate on US policy

Republican presidential candidate and former US President Donald Trump has blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Joe Biden for the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. In a podcast hosted by commentator Patrick Bet-David on Thursday, Trump claimed that Biden “provoked the war” and that Zelenskyy “allowed the war to start.”

While expressing sympathy for the Ukrainian people and his desire to help them, Trump criticized Zelenskyy, suggesting that the Ukrainian leader should not have permitted what he termed an “unprofitable war.”

He reiterated a past statement, calling Zelenskyy “one of the most outstanding businessmen” due to the significant financial aid Ukraine has received from the United States. Since the Russian invasion began, the US has provided over $55 billion in military support to Ukraine.

Trump’s remarks have fueled speculation among Western media and analysts about a potential shift in US policy towards Ukraine should he win the presidential election on November 5. Critics argue that his stance suggests a favorable view of Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom Trump has often been accused of supporting. Although he has repeatedly stated that he could quickly end the war in Ukraine, he has yet to present a specific plan.

Democratic figures have strongly condemned Trump’s position. The campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris, who is also a presidential candidate, warned that if the US were to withdraw its support for Ukraine, it would embolden Putin to capture Kyiv and set his sights on other parts of Europe, including America’s NATO allies.