Trump claims he's "saving" Ukraine amid peace talks tensions

President Donald Trump stated that he believes he is "saving" Ukraine, despite escalating tensions surrounding US involvement in the ongoing conflict.

Trump emphasized his role in preventing a Russian victory, asserting, "I think I'm saving that nation." He further claimed, "I think that nation will be crushed very shortly. It's a big war machine... I think I'm doing a great service to Ukraine. I believe that,"​ Caliber.Az reports citing Ukrainian media.

When questioned about the possibility of supplying weapons to Ukraine, Trump did not provide a direct answer. Instead, he suggested alternative forms of pressure on Russia, stating, "Doesn't have to be weapons. There are many forms of weapons. Doesn't have to be weapons with bullets. It can be weapons with sanctions. It can be weapons with banking. It can be many other weapons."​

Trump reiterated his stance that the full-scale invasion would not have occurred if he had won the 2020 US election, a claim he frequently makes when discussing his Ukraine-Russia policy. He also threatened to abandon the peace process if upcoming negotiations do not yield satisfactory results, stating, "We'll have to see what happens over the next period of pretty much a week. We're down to final strokes."

He added, "And again, this is (former U.S. President Joe) Biden's war. I'm not gonna get saddled — I don't wanna be saddled with it. It's a terrible war. Should have never happened. It would've never happened, as sure as you're sitting there."​

Trump's comments come amid growing concerns that the US may withdraw from the peace negotiations altogether. European and Ukrainian officials fear that Trump's administration is preparing to abandon the talks, leaving Ukraine and European nations to manage the aftermath. Russia's refusal to accept key US and Ukrainian terms, such as maintaining a Ukrainian military and recognizing Ukrainian territorial integrity, has further complicated the situation. Trump's impatience and desire for a quick resolution clash with Russian President Vladimir Putin's hardened stance, raising questions about the future of the peace process. 

By Vafa Guliyeva