Former US President Donald Trump has asserted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shares responsibility for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin. Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump attributed blame for the devastating war—which has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties—to all three leaders.
“Millions of people dead because of three people,” he stated. “Let’s say Putin number one, let’s say Biden who had no idea what the hell he was doing, number two, and Zelensky.”
Trump’s comments followed a significant Russian airstrike on Sumy, Ukraine, Sunday, which has been designated as the deadliest civilian attack of the year. While initially describing the attack as “terrible” and suggesting it might have been a Russian mistake, he subsequently shifted blame to Zelensky.
The Kremlin maintains that the strike targeted a military gathering, claiming 60 soldiers were killed; however, they presented no supporting evidence. Ukrainian media reported a medal ceremony for veterans occurred in Sumy on the day of the attack. Subsequently, President Zelensky dismissed the regional head of Sumy, reportedly due to his role in organizing the event.
Trump has consistently placed responsibility for the war’s progression on both Zelensky and former President Joe Biden, despite Russia’s initial invasion occurring in 2014—long before Zelensky assumed office. He reiterated this view Monday, claiming that “Biden could have stopped it and Zelensky could have stopped it, and Putin should have never started it. Everybody is to blame.”
Tensions between Trump and Zelensky escalated earlier this year following a contentious White House meeting in February where Trump criticized Zelensky for not pursuing peace talks with Russia sooner.
Simultaneously, Trump has expressed interest in improving relations with the Kremlin and has sought to mediate a ceasefire. He claims to have a “good relationship” with Putin, an assertion supported by his US envoy, Steve Witkoff, who described recent discussions as “compelling.”
- Witkoff stated that Putin is seeking “a permanent peace… beyond a ceasefire.”
- He suggested the potential for reshaping the Russian-United States relationship through commercial opportunities.
Prior to the attack in Sumy, Zelensky had publicly urged Trump to visit Ukraine before any negotiations with Russia are considered.
“Please, before any kind of decisions, any kind of forms of negotiations, come to see people, civilians, warriors, hospitals, churches, children destroyed or dead.” – Volodymyr Zelensky
Witkoff further suggested the possibility of a significant breakthrough in international relations. “I think we might be on the verge of something that would be very, very important for the world at large.”
