‘Economic war’ threat and ‘not innocent’ Zelenskyy – what Trump said at the White House
As he sat down for a cabinet meeting at the White House yesterday, Donald Trump made a number of comments on the war in Ukraine.
From claiming Volodymyr Zelenskyy “isn’t innocent” to warning Russia could face “an economic war” if the war doesn’t end, here is a look at what the US president said…
Economic sanctions
Trump didn’t offer any kind of deadline when asked if Vladimir Putin was back on the clock after their Alaska summit.
But he did say: “It’s very serious what I have in mind if I have to do it, but I want to see it end.
“I think in many ways he is there. Sometimes he’ll be there, but Zelenskyy won’t be there. I’ve got to get them both at the same time.”
Trump went on to say he was prepared to impose economic sanctions against Russia if Putin fails to agree to a ceasefire.
“We want to have an end. We have economic sanctions. I’m talking about economic because we’re not going to get into a world war,” he said.
“In my opinion, if I didn’t win this race, Ukraine could have possibly ended up in a world war. Just like India and Pakistan were going to end up in a nuclear war if I didn’t stop them.”
‘Zelenskyy isn’t innocent’
On the number of soldiers who have died in the past few weeks during the war (both Russian and Ukrainian), Trump said: “An economic war is going to be bad and it’s going to be bad for Russia and I don’t want that.
“Zelenskyy is not exactly innocent either. It takes two people to tango, I say it all the time.
“You’ve got to get them together. I get on with Zelenskyy now, but we have a much different relationship because now we are not paying any money to Ukraine.
“We’re paying money to ourselves. NATO’s buying all the equipment and paying in full.”
On his relationship with Putin
“If I can stop it because I have a certain power or certain relationship – I had a very good relationship with President Putin,” Trump said.
“That’s a positive thing.
“Steve Witkoff will tell you I’m the only one that can solve it.
“I have no ego when it comes to this stuff, I just want to see it solved.
“Thousands of young people are dying every week.”
