In brief
Former President Donald Trump has stirred controversy by suggesting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky bears part of the blame for the casualties in the ongoing war, alongside Russian leader Vladimir Putin and incumbent U.S. President Joe Biden.
In a recent meeting at the White House with El Salvador's president, Trump asserted, “When you start a war you got to know you can win,” as he faced questions about the violence in Ukraine. This comes on the heels of a deadly Russian missile strike in Sumy, which resulted in numerous civilian deaths over the weekend, reigniting discussions about responsibility in the conflict. While Trump placed the number of dead at "millions," estimates suggest that actual casualty figures are significantly lower.Amidst growing outrage over the attack, where at least 35 lives were lost and many others injured, Trump criticized Zelensky for what he called a failure to prepare adequately for conflict, stating that one cannot expect aid in terms of military assistance when waging war against a much larger power. His remarks have further escalated existing tensions between the former president and Zelensky, following a previously contentious phone call in 2019.Earlier this week, Zelensky had urged Trump to visit Ukraine before engaging in negotiations with Putin, emphasizing the destruction wrought upon civilians and communities. Meanwhile, Trump expressed a desire to "stop the killing" but offered no specific plans or proposals during his comments. As the situation in Ukraine remains dire, the international community continues to observe closely how the rhetoric and actions of leaders influence the ongoing crisis.
