Donald Trump has criticized Ukraine following President Volodymyr Zelensky's expression of surprise at the absence of an invitation for his country to participate in discussions in Saudi Arabia aimed at resolving the conflict with Russia. Trump conveyed his "disappointment" regarding Ukraine's response and suggested that Ukraine bore some responsibility for the war's onset, asserting that the nation "could have made a deal" at an earlier stage. The conflict in Ukraine was ignited nearly three years ago by a comprehensive Russian invasion.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov engaged in discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Riyadh, marking the first high-level, in-person dialogue between the two nations since the invasion. They reached an agreement to form teams tasked with initiating negotiations to conclude the war. Lavrov emphasized that Russia would not accept the deployment of peacekeeping forces from NATO countries in Ukraine as part of any peace agreement, a suggestion that was discussed during a meeting of European NATO members in Paris the previous day. European NATO allies, who continue to pledge support for Ukraine against Russia, have expressed frustration at being excluded from Trump's unilateral peace initiative, which has shifted away from the strongly pro-Ukraine stance maintained by his predecessor, Joe Biden.
"You should never have initiated it. A deal could have been reached," he continued. "I could have brokered a deal for Ukraine that would have granted them nearly all of the territory, preserving lives and preventing the destruction of cities." Following the discussions in Riyadh, Trump stated he felt "much more confident." "They were very cooperative," he noted. "Russia is eager to take action. They wish to halt the brutal barbarism." "I believe I possess the ability to conclude this conflict," he asserted.
Trump also criticized the duration since Ukraine last held an election when asked if the US would endorse Russian requests for one to take place. "They seek a place at the table, but shouldn't the citizens of Ukraine have a voice? It has been quite some time since an election occurred," the president replied. He further claimed that Zelensky, who secured a five-year term in 2019, was "down to a 4% approval rating." Despite the ongoing martial law since the conflict began, Zelensky has remained in power. A December opinion poll indicated that 52% of Ukrainians surveyed expressed trust in Zelensky.
When questioned about whether the US would support Russian requests for an election in Ukraine, Trump criticized the length of time since Ukraine last held one. "They desire a seat at the table, but shouldn't the citizens of Ukraine have a say? It has been quite a while since an election was conducted," he responded. He also noted that Zelensky, who was elected for a five-year term in 2019, has seen his approval rating drop to "4%." Despite the ongoing martial law since the onset of the conflict, Zelensky has maintained his position. A December opinion poll revealed that 52% of Ukrainians surveyed expressed trust in Zelensky.
Rubio expressed his belief that Russia is "prepared to initiate a serious dialogue" aimed at resolving the conflict. He emphasized the necessity for concessions from all parties involved, stating, "We will not predefine what those concessions should be." He remarked that "today marks the beginning of a long and challenging journey, yet it is a significant one". Rubio also noted that the European Union must eventually participate in discussions, as they too have imposed sanctions. Regarding Ukraine's absence from the meeting, he asserted that "no one is being excluded." He added, "All parties involved in the conflict must find the outcome acceptable." The discussions held in Paris, which were quickly organized in light of the emerging cooperation between Russia and the US under Trump, did not result in a consensus.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany remarked that it was "entirely premature" to consider sending troops to Ukraine at this time. Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland echoed this sentiment, stating he had no plans to deploy troops, while Italy's Giorgia Meloni, the sole European leader present at Trump's inauguration, voiced skepticism. She indicated that sending European troops would be "the most complicated and least effective" method of achieving peace in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukraine's leader appeared visibly fatigued and distressed when responding to the Riyadh meeting during a press conference in Turkey. "We seek fairness and insist that no decisions are made without our involvement," Zelensky stated. "It is unacceptable to make decisions regarding the resolution of the war in Ukraine without Ukraine's participation."
Following the ousting of Ukraine's pro-Russian president in 2014, Moscow proceeded to annex the Crimean Peninsula and supported pro-Russian separatists in violent confrontations in eastern Ukraine. The situation escalated into full-scale war when Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Although Moscow's efforts to seize the capital, Kyiv, were unsuccessful, Russian troops have managed to occupy approximately one-fifth of Ukraine's eastern and southern territories and have conducted airstrikes throughout the nation. In response, Ukraine has engaged in artillery and drone attacks, as well as a ground offensive targeting Russia's western Kursk region. While precise casualty figures are difficult to ascertain, estimates suggest that hundreds of thousands of individuals, predominantly soldiers, have been killed or injured, and millions of Ukrainian civilians have been displaced as refugees.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)