Trump claims Russia holds the advantage in Ukraine Peace talks

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Thursday, February 20th, 2025

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Donald Trump has stated that Russia holds the upper hand in any potential peace talks regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, citing Moscow’s territorial gains since the conflict began. In an interview with the BBC, Trump expressed his belief that Russia wants to end the war, despite initiating the invasion nearly three years ago.
Trump’s remarks came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized him, accusing the former U.S. president of being influenced by “disinformation” from Russia. This followed Trump’s exclusion from U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, which left Ukraine’s interests sidelined. In response, Trump called Zelensky a “dictator,” a term he also used in a Truth Social post, due to the suspension of elections under martial law in Ukraine.
Trump further argued that Zelensky’s popularity was low, citing claims of a 4% approval rating. However, BBC Verify reports show that 57% of Ukrainians trust their president. Trump’s comments were met with strong criticism, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz calling his remarks “dangerous” and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer offering firm support for Zelensky.
Trump also controversially placed blame on Ukraine for the war, suggesting that they could have avoided it by making a deal earlier. Zelensky responded by accusing Russia of spreading lies during recent talks between U.S. and Russian officials, where Ukraine was not invited.
This exchange highlights the increasing division over the Ukraine conflict, as diplomatic tensions rise between Russia, Ukraine, and the global community. Trump’s remarks show a stark contrast to the support for Zelensky from European leaders and other global powers.