Trump asserts he prevented Russia from seizing Ukraine
The US president stated that Putin’s inability to completely take over Ukraine was linked to his victory over Harris. US President Donald Trump is convinced that his leadership is the primary reason Russia has not fully taken control of Ukraine....
TroibNews 
The US president stated that Putin’s inability to completely take over Ukraine was linked to his victory over Harris.
US President Donald Trump is convinced that his leadership is the primary reason Russia has not fully taken control of Ukraine.
In an interview with ABC News on Tuesday, Trump indicated that Putin regarded Ukraine as “the apple of his eye” and aimed to capture the entire country; however, he did not have the opportunity to realize this ambition due to Trump's election win over Kamala Harris in November.
“I think if I didn't win the election, he would have gotten all of Ukraine. I think he would have taken all of Ukraine,” the US president remarked.
Trump attributed the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021—a situation he blamed on the actions of a “group of losers” in former President Joe Biden’s administration—as the catalyst that provided Putin the opening he needed regarding Ukraine.
“He saw what happened in Afghanistan. He said, ‘Wow, this is my chance,’” he observed. “It was one of the greatest embarrassments of — of our lifetimes but maybe in the history of our country.”
When posed with a question about whether he believes Putin seeks peace, Trump answered affirmatively. He added, “Let’s say, he respects me. And I believe because of me he’s not gonna take over the whole [Ukraine] – but his decision, his choice would be to take over all of Ukraine.”
Additionally, Trump declined to specify whether the US would stop military aid to Ukraine if a peace deal isn’t achieved, stating, “I want to leave that as a big, fat secret, because I don't want to ruin a negotiation.”
These comments followed Trump’s suggestion on Monday that Ukraine would soon be “crushed” under pressure from Russia, which he referred to as “a big war machine.”
The US president's statements come amid ongoing direct negotiations between Washington and Moscow aimed at finding a resolution to the Ukraine conflict, with both parties characterizing the discussions as productive.
According to various media sources, a peace agreement proposed by Washington could involve US acknowledgment of Russian sovereignty over Crimea and a “freezing” of the conflict along the current front line, as well as recognition of Moscow's authority over significant portions of the four former Ukrainian regions that voted to join Russia.
The proposed deal may also prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and gradually lift sanctions on Russia. Despite Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky consistently rejecting any territorial concessions to Moscow, Trump suggested he would be open to relinquishing Kiev’s claim to Crimea, which voted to become part of Russia in 2014.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
US President Donald Trump is convinced that his leadership is the primary reason Russia has not fully taken control of Ukraine.
In an interview with ABC News on Tuesday, Trump indicated that Putin regarded Ukraine as “the apple of his eye” and aimed to capture the entire country; however, he did not have the opportunity to realize this ambition due to Trump's election win over Kamala Harris in November.
“I think if I didn't win the election, he would have gotten all of Ukraine. I think he would have taken all of Ukraine,” the US president remarked.
Trump attributed the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021—a situation he blamed on the actions of a “group of losers” in former President Joe Biden’s administration—as the catalyst that provided Putin the opening he needed regarding Ukraine.
“He saw what happened in Afghanistan. He said, ‘Wow, this is my chance,’” he observed. “It was one of the greatest embarrassments of — of our lifetimes but maybe in the history of our country.”
When posed with a question about whether he believes Putin seeks peace, Trump answered affirmatively. He added, “Let’s say, he respects me. And I believe because of me he’s not gonna take over the whole [Ukraine] – but his decision, his choice would be to take over all of Ukraine.”
Additionally, Trump declined to specify whether the US would stop military aid to Ukraine if a peace deal isn’t achieved, stating, “I want to leave that as a big, fat secret, because I don't want to ruin a negotiation.”
These comments followed Trump’s suggestion on Monday that Ukraine would soon be “crushed” under pressure from Russia, which he referred to as “a big war machine.”
The US president's statements come amid ongoing direct negotiations between Washington and Moscow aimed at finding a resolution to the Ukraine conflict, with both parties characterizing the discussions as productive.
According to various media sources, a peace agreement proposed by Washington could involve US acknowledgment of Russian sovereignty over Crimea and a “freezing” of the conflict along the current front line, as well as recognition of Moscow's authority over significant portions of the four former Ukrainian regions that voted to join Russia.
The proposed deal may also prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and gradually lift sanctions on Russia. Despite Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky consistently rejecting any territorial concessions to Moscow, Trump suggested he would be open to relinquishing Kiev’s claim to Crimea, which voted to become part of Russia in 2014.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
