Trump criticizes Zelensky's stance on war, questions US aid; UK pledges support for Ukraine

Trump criticizes Zelensky's stance on war, questions US aid

Former President Donald Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent statements about the war, accusing him of lacking interest in a settlement. Trump's comments came after Zelensky said he expects the war to continue for a long time and that he will maintain a relationship with the US despite his fraught relationship with Trump.

Trump took to his Truth Social platform to attack Zelensky, claiming that the US "will not put up with" his sentiments "for much longer." He referenced Zelensky's statement to world leaders in London that aid from America was necessary to continue his country's fight against invading forces from Russia.

Trump's criticism follows his and Vice President JD Vance's earlier berating of Zelensky over his supposed lack of gratitude for the more than $100 billion in US defense aid his nation has received since Russia began the latest phase of the war against Ukraine in February 2022.

Meanwhile, Zelensky received a warm reception from UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and was granted an audience with King Charles III. Starmer pledged to develop a coalition to defend a deal in Ukraine and guarantee a peace settlement. He also announced a £1.6 billion finance deal to allow Ukraine to buy more than 5,000 missiles.

Trump, however, has moved to pivot the United States to a position in foreign policy spheres that appears to be aligned with Russia against the democracies of the west. He declined to explicitly say whether he supports pausing American defense aid to Kyiv and mused aloud that "it takes two to tango" with respect to any agreement to end the war.

He also told reporters that in his view, Zelensky "should be more appreciative" because America has "stuck with them through thick and thin." He added that a deal needs to be made because "there are a lot of people being killed that shouldn't be killed.