Donald Trump airs support for Ukraine going on offensive against Russia
“It is very hard, if not impossible, to win a war without attacking an invader’s country,” he wrote.
“It’s like a great team in sports that has a fantastic defence, but is not allowed to play offence. There is no chance of winning! It is like that with Ukraine and Russia.”
Trump said Biden would not let Ukraine “fight back” and suggested the strategy had failed. “How did that work out?” he wrote.
The post signalled a different approach to the president’s belligerent tone with Zelensky during their clash at the White House in February, when Trump said: “You’re not in a good position. You don’t have the cards right now.”
Leaders including British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are backing plans to deliver more arms to Ukraine on the understanding that Trump will approve the weapon sales – as long as Europe pays for them.
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While Trump spoke on Monday about the idea of a meeting between Putin and Zelensky to settle the war, to be followed by a trilateral meeting he would join, there has been no sign of progress toward this goal.
Zelensky cited the latest Russian attacks as proof that the US and Europe should harden their positions against Russia.
“In Mukachevo, the Russians practically burned down an American company producing electronics – home appliances, nothing military,” he said on social media.
“The Russians knew exactly where they lobbed the missiles. We believe this was a deliberate attack against American property and investments in Ukraine.
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Zelensky said the signals now coming from Russia were “outrageous” and Moscow was “trying to wriggle out of holding a meeting”.
“They don’t want to end this war. They continue their massive attacks on Ukraine and their ferocious assaults along the frontline,” he said.
“We expect our partners to respond in a principled manner. This war must be brought to an end. Pressure must be exerted on Russia to end the war. Putin understands nothing but force and pressure.”
