Trump flips stance, accuses Russia of attacking Ukraine, continues to blast Zelenskyy

US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that Russia attacked Ukraine, marking a major shift in his stance on the conflict, though he has continued to lambast Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In an interview on The Brian Kilmeade Show, Trump expressed that the invasion, which began in February 2022, was avoidable, claiming there was "no reason" for Russia to attack.

Speaking to Fox News, Trump said, “Russia attacked, but there was no reason for them to attack. You could have talked him out.”

Trump’s words reflect an ongoing feud with Zelenskyy, one that has escalated over the past weeks. The two have been at odds since Zelenskyy criticised the Trump administration’s approach to the war and US military support. Trump, who has consistently voiced scepticism about Ukraine’s need for US aid, has previously said that the war could have been avoided if Zelenskyy had acted differently. In his latest interview, he reiterated his belief that the war should have never occurred and that it could have been "solved and settled immediately."


When asked whether he would accept a call from Zelenskyy, Trump confirmed, saying, “Of course, I’ll take a call from him.” However, he was less enthusiastic about Zelenskyy’s role in negotiations. “He’s been negotiating for three years. He has no cards. He’s been tough, but he’s got nothing to bring to the table,” Trump said.

This marks a departure from Trump's previous reluctance to explicitly blame Russia for the invasion. Despite this acknowledgment, Trump said that the conflict could have been averted through diplomacy, criticising both Biden and Zelenskyy for their handling of the situation. He remarked, "Biden said the wrong things. Zelensky said the wrong things. They got attacked by somebody that's much bigger and much stronger."

In a recent gathering at the White House, Trump stated, "I've had very good talks with Putin, and I've had not such good talks with Ukraine. They don't have any cards, but they play it tough."

The strained relationship between Trump and Zelenskyy has been further exacerbated by disagreements over proposed agreements. The US has been pressuring Ukraine to sign a deal granting American companies access to its mineral resources in exchange for continued military aid. However, Zelenskyy has resisted, viewing the terms as unfavourable and lacking security guarantees. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz expressed confidence that Ukraine would soon acquiesce, stating, "President Zelensky is going to sign that deal, and you will see that in the very short term."