Trump Blasts Zelensky, Suggests Ukraine Could Have Avoided War

As diplomatic tensions rise, U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked fresh controversy by suggesting that Ukraine could have avoided war with Russia. He also hinted at an upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a move that could redefine global negotiations on the ongoing conflict.

Trump’s Bold Take on the Ukraine War

Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago estate, President Trump dismissed concerns about Ukraine being left out of recent U.S.-Russia negotiations in Saudi Arabia. Instead, he placed the blame on Kyiv’s leadership, stating:

“You’ve been there for three years. You should have ended it… You should have never started it. You could have made a deal. I could have made a deal for Ukraine.”

His remarks, which suggest that diplomacy could have prevented the war, are expected to trigger strong reactions from Ukraine and its Western allies.

A Path to Ending the War?

Trump expressed optimism about brokering a peace deal, claiming that the recent talks in Riyadh—led by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov—were “very good.”

“Russia wants to do something. They want to stop the savage barbarism,” Trump said, implying that Moscow may be open to negotiations.

While details of the discussions remain undisclosed, the U.S. State Department confirmed that both sides agreed to set up high-level teams to explore ways to end the conflict.

Trump’s Ukraine Strategy: A Necessary Reality Check After Saudi Talks?

Zelenskyy, Elections, and Controversy

The American President also weighed in on Ukraine’s internal politics, questioning whether President Volodymyr Zelenskyy still had public support. He claimed—without citing evidence—that Zelenskyy’s approval rating was as low as 4% and criticized Ukraine’s suspension of elections under martial law.

“Wouldn’t the people of Ukraine have to say, ‘It’s been a long time since we’ve had an election?’”

While most media outlets are reporting on the 52% approval rating from last December, it should be noted that Zelenskyy’s popularity has significantly declined since the start of the war. According to a New York Times report, his approval rating once soared to nearly 90%, but has now dropped to around 50%. In fact, polls suggest his support would fall even further if measured against potential challengers in a post-ceasefire election scenari

Global Reactions and European Divisions

Trump’s comments come as European leaders struggle to craft a unified response to the war:

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is open to sending peacekeeping forces to Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron has suggested deploying limited troops in non-combat zones.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed any discussion of post-war security before a peace deal.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk ruled out sending Polish troops.

France is set to host a second round of European talks, following an emergency summit that failed to produce a cohesive strategy.

During his press conference, Trump signaled support for European peacekeepers but ruled out U.S. involvement:

“If they want to do that, that’s great, I’m all for it.”

The Bigger Picture: What’s Next?

Trump’s comments reflect his signature negotiation style—bold, unconventional, and controversial. By placing responsibility on Ukraine, he is challenging the Western narrative of the war. His potential meeting with Putin could reshape diplomatic efforts and reignite debates on America’s role in the conflict.