In a post on the social media platform Truth Social today, former US President Donald Trump stated that the Ukraine conflict would not have erupted if he had won the 2020 election, asserting it is a conflict where "everyone loses".
"The Ukrainian leadership has shown no gratitude for our efforts, while Europe continues to buy oil from Russia", Trump emphasized. He added that the US would continue to sell substantial amounts of weaponry to NATO for the alliance to transfer to Ukraine, rather than "providing everything for free" as the previous administration did.
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Former US President Donald Trump at the White House on 22/11. Photo: AFP |
Ukrainian officials have not commented on Trump's statement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously thanked the US multiple times for military assistance.
Trump's statement came as US, Ukrainian, and European officials were holding a closed-door meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss a peace plan proposed by Washington aimed at ending the conflict.
The proposal outlines 28 points, requiring Ukraine to relinquish one part of its territory, accept limits on its military size, and cease pursuing NATO membership. For many Ukrainians, including soldiers on the front lines, these terms equate to surrender.
Trump has set a deadline of 27/11 for Ukraine to accept the peace plan, though he noted the proposal is not the final solution.
Before arriving in Geneva, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that Washington authored the peace plan, countering opinions from some US lawmakers. According to Senator Angus King, Rubio informed legislators that the proposal was not the US administration's stance, but essentially "a list of what Russia wants".
European allies were also not consulted by the US regarding the peace plan. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on 23/11 that Ukraine's borders must not be altered by force, its military cannot be left vulnerable to attack, and the European Union must play a central role in any Ukraine peace agreement.
Pham Giang (According to AFP, Reuters)
