President Donald Trump of the United States has caused a stir by suggesting that Ukraine may not survive the war with Russia.
Speaking in an interview with Fox News that aired on Sunday, Trump was asked whether he was comfortable with the fact that he had stopped aid to the country and that Ukraine might not survive because of this.
Trump replied: “Well, it might not survive anyway.”
On Russia’s more than three-year war against its neighbor, Trump said it takes two to engage in a conflict.
“So now we are stuck with this mess,” he added.
Under Trump, the U.S. government has made a radical U-turn in its policy on Ukraine, most recently ending support for Kyiv altogether, at least for the time being.
The White House said this was to force Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into peace negotiations.
Trump had previously blamed Zelenskyy for the war, which began when Russia attacked Ukraine. The U.S. president accused the Ukrainian leader of not wanting to end the war.
Trump has also called the Ukrainian president a “dictator.” During a meeting at the White House, the two had a major falling out in front of the world’s media.
Recently, Trump and Zelenskyy have gotten along better again, but U.S. aid to Ukraine remains on hold.
Overall, the U.S. president has recently taken a strikingly pro-Russia position in the conflict.
Trump, however, rejected accusations that he was taking sides with Moscow, claiming that he has been very tough with Russia-tougher than anyone has ever been with Russia.
