WORLD NEWS: Trump says Zelensky “has to get his act together” to reach an agreement with Russia
New information reveals that the following story has emerged from the international scene.
In a controversial interview, US President Donald Trump shifts blame for stalled negotiations onto Ukraine’s leader, while claiming Putin is ready to make a deal.
In a striking interview with Politico on Thursday, US President Donald Trump laid blame for the ongoing war in Ukraine at the feet of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump claimed that Zelensky’s actions have been the primary obstacle to a potential peace deal with Russia, suggesting that the Ukrainian leader must “get his act together” and take the necessary steps to end the conflict. Trump, known for his controversial remarks about Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, also expressed confidence that Putin was ready to negotiate a settlement.
Trump’s Criticism of Zelensky
Trump’s comments come after a year of tense exchanges with Zelensky, and they reflect the former president’s long-standing criticism of U.S. involvement in Ukraine. In the interview, Trump echoed sentiments he expressed during a heated White House meeting with Vice President JD Vance last year, where the two publicly rebuked the Ukrainian leader.
“Zelensky has to get his act together and he has to close a deal,” Trump said. “It is unthinkable that he would be the obstacle. You don’t have the cards. Now he has even fewer cards.” According to Trump, it’s Zelensky’s refusal to compromise that has prolonged the war, and he suggested that the Ukrainian president is now in a weaker position than ever before.
“I think Putin is ready to make a deal,” Trump said, reinforcing his belief that the Russian president is willing to negotiate, even as the war in Ukraine continues to escalate.
Trump’s rhetoric seems to be in stark contrast to the ongoing commitment from the Biden administration to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. The U.S. has pledged billions of dollars in aid, but Trump has consistently criticized this financial support, calling it a “waste” of American resources.
Putin and Trump: A Familiar Alliance
Trump’s remarks about Putin were nothing new. The former president has long expressed admiration for the Russian leader, even inviting him to Alaska in August 2024. Trump’s soft stance toward Putin has raised concerns within the international community, particularly among U.S. allies who view Putin as a destabilizing force on the world stage. Trump, however, continues to insist that he is the only leader capable of negotiating a peace deal with both sides, asserting that his relationship with Putin would allow him to broker an agreement that others have failed to achieve.
Despite his previous promises to end the war in Ukraine quickly, Trump acknowledged the complexity of the situation. He stated that he would aim to resolve the conflict by his first day in office in January 2025, but admitted that this goal has proven elusive. As the war drags on and Russia intensifies its attacks on Ukraine, the question remains whether Trump’s approach, characterized by a willingness to engage with Putin, could bring about a resolution or if it would deepen the divisions further.
Trump’s remarks are bound to fuel the ongoing debate in the U.S. over its role in the Ukraine conflict and the balance between diplomacy and military support. With mounting casualties and escalating costs—especially as the U.S. faces rising tensions in the Middle East following its own military actions against Iran—Trump’s stance on Ukraine will undoubtedly continue to be a key point of contention in his presidential campaign and among U.S. lawmakers.
Editor’s Insight:
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Source: This article was originally published in another language by France 24 – Noticias y actualidad internacional en vivo and has been translated and adapted for our global English-speaking audience. Read the original article here.