Former President Trump criticizes President Zelensky, intends to change policy with Ukraine if elected

Former US President Donald Trump on October 17 blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for starting the conflict with Russia.

Former US President Donald Trump criticized the President of Ukraine for starting the conflict with Russia. (Source: Reuters)

The move suggests that Trump could dramatically change US policy toward Russia if he wins the November 5 election. During his campaign, Trump repeatedly criticized Zelensky, calling the Ukrainian leader “the best salesman in the world” for soliciting and receiving billions of dollars in US military aid since the conflict broke out in 2022. The former US president also condemned Zelensky for not seeking peace with Moscow. Trump also “indicated” that Ukraine might have to cede some territory to Russia to reach a peace deal, a concession that Kiev considered unacceptable. According to Trump, President Zelensky is not only responsible for not ending the conflict but also for starting it. “The conflict is a failure,” Trump stressed. In a meeting in New York in September 2024, Mr. Zelensky presented Donald Trump with a “plan for victory.” However, the former US president’s public statements suggest that he may seek to gradually reduce aid to Ukraine if he wins against Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, on November 5. Mr. Trump has repeatedly said that he could end the conflict before taking office in January, but has not yet clarified how. Kamala Harris, in contrast, has pledged to continue supporting Ukraine and sees the Eastern European country’s victory as a vital US national security interest.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/former-president-trump-criticizes-president-zelensky-y-do-thay-doi-chinh-sach-voi-ukraine-neu-thang-cu-290539.html