In a recent interview, former President Donald Trump held Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Joe Biden responsible for the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, pointedly refraining from criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin. The comments were made during an interview with podcaster Patrick Bet-David, which aired on Thursday, nearly two and a half years after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.
“I think Zelensky is one of the greatest salesmen I’ve ever seen,” Trump remarked during the discussion, expressing frustration with the extensive aid the United States has provided to Ukraine since the war began. However, despite acknowledging sympathy for the Ukrainian people, Trump placed the blame on Zelensky, suggesting that he could have prevented the war. “He should never have let that war start,” Trump added. “That war’s a loser.”
Trump’s criticism extended further, with harsh words directed at President Biden. He claimed that the conflict could have been easily avoided if there had been more competent leadership in the White House. “This should’ve been settled before it started. It would’ve been so easy. If we had a president with half a brain, it would’ve been easy to settle,” Trump asserted, squarely blaming Biden for escalating the crisis.
The former president, who is currently a leading contender for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential race, has consistently argued that the war would never have begun if he were still in office. Recalling his previous statements, Trump emphasized, “Putin never ever would have gone into Ukraine if I were president,” a sentiment he first shared in February 2023, just before the one-year anniversary of the invasion.
Trump’s comments come shortly after a meeting with Zelensky at Trump Tower in New York City, where he described their relationship as “very good.” He also underscored his amicable ties with Putin, stating, “And I also have a very good relationship, as you know, with President Putin.”
The interview aired against a backdrop of recent revelations about Trump’s interactions with Putin, highlighted in Bob Woodward’s new book War. According to Woodward, Trump secretly sent Covid-19 tests to Putin during the height of the pandemic, when tests were scarce in the U.S. and globally. The book also claims that Trump and Putin have spoken by phone on numerous occasions—potentially as many as seven times—since Trump left office in 2021.
These revelations have added to the complexities surrounding Trump’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, particularly as he navigates his campaign for a return to the White House. His remarks have sparked further debate about his approach to foreign policy, as well as the implications of his relationships with key global figures like Zelensky and Putin.
Trump’s assertions have drawn sharp criticism from political analysts and opponents, who argue that his narrative simplifies a multifaceted geopolitical crisis. Nevertheless, Trump remains steadfast, contending that his administration’s approach would have deterred Russian aggression and swiftly resolved the conflict if he were re-elected.
As the Russia-Ukraine war continues with devastating consequences, the former president’s comments add another layer to the discourse, raising questions about how U.S. foreign policy could shift if Trump were to return to power.
