What's happened
In a recent podcast, Donald Trump criticized President Biden and Ukrainian President Zelensky, claiming Zelensky should have prevented the war. Trump asserted that if he were president, the conflict would not have occurred, reiterating his skepticism about U.S. aid to Ukraine.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Independent, Trump stated, 'I think Zelensky is one of the greatest salesmen I’ve ever seen,' while criticizing the aid provided to Ukraine. The New York Times noted that Trump has previously suggested that Zelensky should have made a deal with Putin to prevent the invasion. Meanwhile, Politico highlighted Trump's ongoing relationship with Putin, suggesting that his ties could lead to a swift resolution of the conflict if he were elected again. These contrasting perspectives illustrate the complexities of Trump's stance on U.S. involvement in Ukraine and his relationship with both Zelensky and Putin.
How we got here
The conflict in Ukraine began with Russia's invasion in February 2022, following years of tension. Trump has previously suggested that his presidency would have prevented the war, and his recent comments reflect ongoing debates about U.S. foreign policy.
More on these topics
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 and represented Delaware in the United States Senate
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The Russo-Ukrainian War is an ongoing and protracted conflict between Russia and Ukraine that began in February 2014. The war has centred on the status of the Ukrainian regions of Crimea and Donbas.
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Kamala Devi Harris is an American attorney and politician who has served as the junior United States Senator from California since 2017.
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.