Donald Trump has suggested that Vladimir Putin spoke openly to him about his desire to control Ukraine. Speaking at a town hall event in Pennsylvania, the former president said he “got along very well” with the Russian leader and “fully understood” the situation.
“It (Ukraine) was the apple of his eye; he used to talk about it,” Trump said.
His comments come just weeks before the US presidential election, which could have major consequences for Washington’s support for Ukraine.
Trump Claims He’d Have Stopped the War
Trump once again insisted that Russia wouldn’t have invaded Ukraine if he had still been in office. He has repeatedly argued that his leadership would have prevented the conflict, though he hasn’t explained how.
However, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine didn’t start with the 2022 invasion. Moscow seized Crimea and invaded Donbas in 2014, with fighting continuing throughout Trump’s presidency.
‘I Get Along With Zelensky Too’
During the event, Trump also claimed to have a good relationship with Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky. He pointed to their meeting in New York during Zelensky’s recent visit to the US.
Trump’s praise for both Zelensky and Putin has fuelled speculation about his foreign policy plans if he wins the presidency.
What’s Trump’s Plan for Ukraine?
Trump has repeatedly vowed to end Russia’s war in Ukraine “within 24 hours,” but he hasn’t said how. Reports suggest his approach could involve pressuring Ukraine to cede territory or abandon its NATO aspirations.
Meanwhile, US journalist Bob Woodward’s new book War claims Trump spoke with Putin seven times after leaving office and secretly sent him Covid testing kits while still president.
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