Trump Blames Zelenskyy, Rejects Invitation to Ukraine Peace Talks
Former US President Donald Trump has attributed the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine to the leadership of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. During a speech at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump criticized Zelenskyy for allowing "a war that never should have happened."
"They have leadership in Ukraine that allowed a war to happen that did not have to happen," Trump asserted, adding, "I like him personally, he’s a good guy." However, he emphasized that personal preferences should not overshadow the responsibility to "get the job done."
Trump also dismissed Zelenskyy’s complaints about being excluded from peace talks held in Saudi Arabia, where the US and Russia reportedly discussed potential solutions to the conflict. "I heard today: ‘Oh, we weren’t invited,’" Trump said mockingly. "Well, you’ve been there three years now."
"The war should have never started, and they should have made a deal," Trump insisted. "They should have never let it start."
The Riyadh meeting marked the first direct negotiations between the US and Russia since the outbreak of the war. Ukraine and European nations were notably absent from the talks.
Trump expressed confidence in his own ability to mediate the conflict. "I believe I have the power to stop this war," he declared, adding that he intends to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin "probably before the end of the month."
Meanwhile, EU Foreign Minister Kaja Kallas cautioned the US against Russian tactics, citing concerns raised by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a briefing with European counterparts on the Riyadh talks. "Russia will try to divide us. Let’s not fall into their traps," Kallas warned. "By standing together with the US, we can achieve a just and lasting peace – on Ukraine’s terms."
Trump, however, believes that European troops should be deployed to maintain peace in Ukraine. "I would have no problem with troops being there, absolutely," he stated. "The US has not been asked because we’re so far away."
Despite his support for European military involvement, Trump ruled out the withdrawal of US troops from Europe. "I would not want to do that," he said in response to a question about whether he would consider such a move as part of a peace agreement. "The question doesn’t even have to be asked because they haven’t asked me to do that. So I don’t think we have to do that."
Trump declined to comment on the possibility of reducing the number of US soldiers stationed in Europe. According to the US European Command (EUCOM), approximately 78,000 American troops are currently deployed in Europe, including around 37,000 in Germany.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth recently stated that there are no immediate plans to reduce the number of US troops in Europe. However, he emphasized that "there is a consensus that we will review our global force posture."
Concerns have persisted since Trump’s presidency began that he may reduce the number of US troops overseas. He had previously pursued such a policy during his first term in office.
