Former U.S. President Donald Trump reignited controversy on Monday by accusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of sharing responsibility for Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine—an unfounded claim that has drawn strong criticism. Speaking to reporters, Trump claimed “millions of people” have died due to decisions made by three people: Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Joe Biden, and Zelensky himself.
“Putin’s number one, Biden didn’t know what he was doing, and Zelensky was right there with them,” Trump said during a meeting with El Salvador’s president, doubling down on his stance that Ukraine’s resistance to Russia was a mistake. He criticized Zelensky for continuously asking the U.S. for military aid, dismissing Ukraine’s defense efforts by saying, “You don’t start a war against someone 20 times your size and hope for help.”
Trump and Zelensky’s already strained relationship became public after a heated exchange in the Oval Office six weeks ago. Since then, Trump has amplified Kremlin-style rhetoric, labeling Zelensky a “dictator without elections” and blaming Ukraine for provoking the conflict.
Despite these attacks, Zelensky has made efforts to repair diplomatic ties, including sending a delegation to Washington last week to discuss a proposed mineral trade deal that Trump supports. The deal would allow the U.S. preferential access to Ukrainian natural resources.
Meanwhile, Trump insisted that peace is still possible. “I want to stop the killing,” he said, hinting that a proposal to end the war could be announced soon. His remarks came just a day after a deadly Russian missile strike killed at least 35 civilians in the Ukrainian city of Sumy—one of the deadliest attacks since the invasion began. While Trump called the attack a “mistake,” he offered no further explanation.
In a recent CBS interview, Zelensky invited Trump to visit Ukraine to see the destruction firsthand and understand the reality on the ground.
Trump’s comments have drawn sharp criticism, with many accusing him of downplaying Russian aggression and misrepresenting the war’s causes. The conflict, which began in February 2022, has resulted in tens of thousands of civilian deaths and massive displacement across Ukraine.
