Trump suggests Ukraine ‘may not survive’ war — even with help from US

Donald Trump has suggested Ukraine ‘may not survive’ its war with Russia, and took another pot-shot at Volodymyr Zelensky in a new TV interview.

US President Donald Trump has suggested that Ukraine might not be able to survive against Russia even if the US forged ahead with full-blown support for its fight.

Mr Trump’s remarks came while defending his decision to scale back support to Ukraine in the face of Polish President Andrzej Duda’s and others’ concerns that Europe lacks the might to prop up Kyiv without the US, The NY Post reports.

“Well, it may not survive anyway,” Mr Trump told Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures in an interview that aired Sunday.

“We have some weaknesses with Russia.

“It takes two. Look, it was not going to happen — that war and it happened. So now we’re stuck with this mess.”

During the interview, Mr Trump also took another pot-shot at Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, as tensions between the US and Ukraine simmer following a spectacular clash between the leaders in the Oval Office.

Mr Trump accused Mr Zelensky of having taken “money out of this country under Biden like candy from a baby”.

“It was like taking candy from a baby what he did,” he said.

“He’s a smart guy and he’s a tough guy and he took money out of this country under Biden like candy from a baby. It was so easy.

“I just don’t think he’s grateful.”

When asked if he expected Mr Zelensky “to come back” and complete the minerals deal, he replied: “Yeah. I think so. I think it’ll happen.”

His remarks came as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was set to head Sunday to Saudi Arabia for talks with Ukraine and as Mr Trump decides whether to relent on an aid freeze to the wartime partner.

The Trump administration has halted aid to Ukraine.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is ready to sign the minerals deal and sent a conciliatory letter to Mr Trump. Picture: AFP.

The State Department also confirmed Mr Rubio would travel to Group of Seven talks in Canada, making him the senior-most official to visit since the return of Mr Trump, who has launched a trade war with the US neighbour and mocked its sovereignty.

In the talks from Monday through Wednesday in Jeddah, Mr Rubio will discuss how to “advance the president’s goal to end the Russia-Ukraine war,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said, steering clear of pre-Trump phrasing of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Zelensky has previously announced that he will be in Jeddah, as has Mr Trump confidant and envoy Steve Witkoff.

Mr Trump suspended aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine after a disastrous February 28 meeting with Mr Zelensky at the White House.

The Republican and Vice President JD Vance publicly dressed Mr Zelensky down for alleged ingratitude over billions of dollars worth of previous US weapons shipments.

Mr Zelensky left without signing an agreement demanded by Mr Trump in which Ukraine would hand over much of its mineral wealth to the US which Mr Trump argues will compensate US taxpayers for the assistance provided under former US President Joe Biden.

Mr Zelensky has since said he is ready to sign the minerals deal and sent a conciliatory letter to Mr Trump, who read it at his address to Congress on Tuesday.

Keith Kellogg, the US special envoy on Russia and Ukraine, said Thursday he would support resuming assistance once Mr Zelensky signs the deal - but that the decision was ultimately up to Trump.

NBC News, quoting unnamed sources, said Mr Trump was unlikely to relent just with the minerals deal and would want to be assured that Zelensky is ready to make concessions to Russia.

Stunned European leaders have been racing to find ways to make up for US aid, although Mr Zelensky himself has said that there is no substitute for Washington’s security guarantees in a deal with Russia.

Russia, which invaded three years ago, has not let up in striking Ukraine including its energy infrastructure. Trump on Friday also threatened to tighten sanctions on Russia if it does not come to the table.

– With AFP

Originally published as Trump suggests Ukraine ‘may not survive’ war — even with help from US