Trump Expresses 'Disappointment' with Ukraine
US President Donald Trump expressed his "disappointment" with Kiev regarding its grievances about not being included in negotiations held in Saudi Arabia. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
US President Donald Trump has voiced his disappointment with Ukraine’s leadership over its grievances regarding their exclusion from the US-Russia peace talks in Saudi Arabia. He suggested that Ukraine has missed several chances to resolve the conflict on its own over the past years.
During a press conference following high-level discussions in Riyadh, Trump was asked if he had any message for Ukrainians who might feel “betrayed or disappointed” due to their absence from the negotiations.
“I’m really disappointed in what’s happened. I’ve been watching this for three years… I hear that, you know, they’re upset about not having a seat. Well, they’ve had a seat for three years and a long time before that,” Trump stated.
He further commented that the conflict “could have been settled very easily.”
“A half-baked negotiator could have settled this years ago without the loss of much land, very little land. Without the loss of any lives and without the loss of cities,” he remarked.
When asked about potential US support for elections in Ukraine, Trump suggested that Ukraine’s leadership ought to consider it. “Wouldn’t the people of Ukraine have to say, like, you know, it’s been a long time since we’ve had an election?” he queried.
The president also claimed, without providing evidence, that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s approval rating is at 4%. Zelensky’s presidential term ended last May without new elections due to the ongoing martial law. Russia regards Zelensky as “illegitimate” and recognizes the parliament and its speaker as the only legitimate authorities in Ukraine.
Trump’s comments followed productive US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, where both sides expressed optimism about their discussions. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that the two delegations worked “quite successfully” on enhancing relations.
The discussions led to an agreement to restore embassy staffing after years of reciprocal diplomatic expulsions, and to establish teams aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that addressing the sanctions imposed on Russia would be necessary for achieving a lasting resolution.
In response to the talks, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine – which was not invited – “views any negotiations about Ukraine that are being held without Ukraine as having no results.” He also asserted that his country would reject any ultimatums that may arise from the Riyadh discussions.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
During a press conference following high-level discussions in Riyadh, Trump was asked if he had any message for Ukrainians who might feel “betrayed or disappointed” due to their absence from the negotiations.
“I’m really disappointed in what’s happened. I’ve been watching this for three years… I hear that, you know, they’re upset about not having a seat. Well, they’ve had a seat for three years and a long time before that,” Trump stated.
He further commented that the conflict “could have been settled very easily.”
“A half-baked negotiator could have settled this years ago without the loss of much land, very little land. Without the loss of any lives and without the loss of cities,” he remarked.
When asked about potential US support for elections in Ukraine, Trump suggested that Ukraine’s leadership ought to consider it. “Wouldn’t the people of Ukraine have to say, like, you know, it’s been a long time since we’ve had an election?” he queried.
The president also claimed, without providing evidence, that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s approval rating is at 4%. Zelensky’s presidential term ended last May without new elections due to the ongoing martial law. Russia regards Zelensky as “illegitimate” and recognizes the parliament and its speaker as the only legitimate authorities in Ukraine.
Trump’s comments followed productive US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, where both sides expressed optimism about their discussions. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that the two delegations worked “quite successfully” on enhancing relations.
The discussions led to an agreement to restore embassy staffing after years of reciprocal diplomatic expulsions, and to establish teams aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that addressing the sanctions imposed on Russia would be necessary for achieving a lasting resolution.
In response to the talks, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine – which was not invited – “views any negotiations about Ukraine that are being held without Ukraine as having no results.” He also asserted that his country would reject any ultimatums that may arise from the Riyadh discussions.
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
