Trump tells Ukraine 'you should have never started the war, you could have given up land' | BBC News

Summary

President Trump has claimed that he alone holds the power to end the war in Ukraine, suggesting that had he been in office earlier, the war would never have occurred. He criticized Ukraine for not negotiating a deal with Russia before the invasion, proposing that such an agreement could have avoided widespread destruction. This came amid U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia where Ukraine was excluded. Despite concerns in Ukraine over being sidelined, diplomatic discussions continue, with Russia demanding territorial concessions and no NATO presence. The situation remains tense, with Ukraine's future uncertain in light of ongoing global negotiations.

Takeaways

• 😀 President Trump claims he has the power to end the war in Ukraine and believes he could have prevented it from starting if he had been in office three years ago.
• 😀 Trump suggests that Ukraine could have avoided the war by negotiating a deal with Russia before the invasion, offering land concessions to avoid conflict.
• 😀 The U.S. and Russia held talks in Saudi Arabia, but Ukraine was not included in the discussions, leading to dissatisfaction from Ukrainian officials.
• 😀 The U.S. State Department clarified that the talks in Saudi Arabia were not formal negotiations but initial discussions about the parameters of a potential peace deal.
• 😀 Ukrainian President Zelensky expressed frustration at being excluded from talks, emphasizing that any peace negotiations should involve Ukraine directly.
• 😀 Russia’s foreign minister confirmed Russia’s demand that NATO disavows its 2008 promise of possible Ukrainian membership and that NATO forces should not be stationed in Ukraine.
• 😀 The U.S. and Russia have agreed to continue diplomatic discussions, though no immediate concessions or breakthroughs were achieved during the talks.
• 😀 Ukrainian officials remain skeptical of Russia’s willingness to negotiate in good faith, especially given ongoing military actions, such as the recent drone strikes on Kyiv.
• 😀 In parallel to U.S.-Russia talks, Ukraine's President Zelensky participated in discussions with Turkish President Erdogan, and European leaders held a summit on security and Ukraine's future.
• 😀 In the UK, there is growing consideration of deploying British troops as part of peacekeeping efforts, although NATO and the U.S. have shown reluctance to send military forces into Ukraine.
• 😀 There is concern among European leaders that any peace agreement could favor Russia’s terms, potentially forcing Ukraine to concede key territorial interests.

Q & A

What did President Trump claim about his ability to end the war in Ukraine?

President Trump claimed that he has the power to end the war in Ukraine, stating that if he had been president three years ago, the war would not have started. He believes he could have negotiated a deal that would have avoided the conflict.

How did Trump suggest the war in Ukraine could have been avoided?

Trump suggested that Ukraine could have made a deal with Russia before the invasion. He claimed that a better deal could have been negotiated, involving giving up some land, but avoiding widespread destruction and loss of life.

What was the nature of the talks between Russia and the U.S. in Saudi Arabia?

The talks between Russia and the U.S. in Saudi Arabia were initial discussions aimed at setting the stage for future negotiations. These talks were not about directly ending the war, but about understanding how such a resolution could be approached.

Why were Ukraine and European nations not involved in the Saudi talks?

Ukraine and European nations were not invited to the talks because the discussions were considered preliminary and focused solely on U.S.-Russia dialogue. The U.S. State Department emphasized that Ukraine would be included if actual peace talks were to take place in the future.

How did Ukraine react to the absence of their participation in the talks?

Ukraine, represented by President Zelensky, expressed frustration over being sidelined. Zelensky argued that any negotiations regarding the war should involve Ukraine, as they are directly impacted by the conflict.

What were the key points of contention between Russia and the U.S. during the talks?

Key points of contention included Russia's demands that Ukraine never join NATO and that NATO forces be kept out of Ukraine. The U.S. and Russia were not in agreement on these issues, and no concessions were made at the talks.

What was the Russian perspective on the talks in Saudi Arabia?

From the Russian perspective, the talks were seen as a diplomatic victory. Russia felt that they had broken free from isolation and were now being treated as a partner in negotiations, despite continuing the war against Ukraine.

How did President Zelensky respond to Trump’s comments regarding peace negotiations?

President Zelensky dismissed Trump’s comments, emphasizing that the war was initiated by Russia with its invasion of Ukraine. Zelensky also criticized the idea of negotiating on terms that would favor Russia, particularly when Ukraine had no say in the discussions.

What role are European nations considering in a potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine?

European nations, including the UK, are considering deploying troops to Ukraine to assist in a peacekeeping capacity. However, there are concerns about the feasibility of such an operation, especially without a clear commitment from the U.S. to participate.

What concerns were raised about the U.S.'s role in peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine?

There are concerns that the U.S. may not commit to sending troops to Ukraine for a peacekeeping mission. The lack of U.S. involvement in military exercises in Romania, as well as their refusal to send boots on the ground in Ukraine, has raised doubts among European allies about the success of any peacekeeping effort.