Trump predicts Ukraine might be ‘crushed very shortly’
The US president has asserted that he is “saving that nation” by attempting to mediate between Moscow and Kiev. US President Donald Trump warned that Ukraine could be facing a major defeat soon unless it engages in negotiations with Russia....
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The US president has asserted that he is “saving that nation” by attempting to mediate between Moscow and Kiev.
US President Donald Trump warned that Ukraine could be facing a major defeat soon unless it engages in negotiations with Russia. He made these remarks during an interview with The Atlantic published on Monday. When questioned about his feelings toward Kiev, the president stated that his policy is focused on “saving” Ukraine, cautioning that ongoing conflict would not benefit the country.
“I think I’m saving that nation. I think that nation will be crushed very shortly,” he remarked, noting that Russia possesses a “big war machine.”
On a related note, US Vice President J. D. Vance also highlighted on Monday that Ukraine is unlikely to prevail in its conflict with Moscow. “If this doesn’t stop, the Ukrainians aren’t winning the war,” Vance, a US Marine Corps veteran, said during an interview with Charlie Kirk. He added that it was “weird” to anticipate Russia's collapse due to the ongoing tensions.
The US government has been increasingly impatient with the slow progress of negotiations between Washington, Moscow, and Kiev. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned last week that the US might withdraw from the discussions entirely if they fail to advance.
Moscow has expressed its willingness to participate in peace talks, provided that they lead to a lasting resolution that addresses the underlying issues of the conflict. It rejected a proposal for a temporary ceasefire, referencing past instances where Kiev and its Western allies exploited a pause to strengthen Ukrainian military capabilities.
Last week, Trump also acknowledged that dealing with Russian President Vladimir Putin was less challenging than engaging with Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky. “I think Russia is ready… I think we have a deal with Russia. We have to get a deal with Zelensky,” he stated to reporters. Zelensky had previously publicly dismissed a key element in the proposed US peace framework by refusing to acknowledge Crimea as Russian territory.
Since taking office in early 2025, the Trump administration has been advocating for a resolution to the conflict. Additionally, Washington is looking to establish a minerals extraction agreement with Kiev to help offset the billions of dollars spent on military and financial support for Ukraine during the tenure of Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
US President Donald Trump warned that Ukraine could be facing a major defeat soon unless it engages in negotiations with Russia. He made these remarks during an interview with The Atlantic published on Monday. When questioned about his feelings toward Kiev, the president stated that his policy is focused on “saving” Ukraine, cautioning that ongoing conflict would not benefit the country.
“I think I’m saving that nation. I think that nation will be crushed very shortly,” he remarked, noting that Russia possesses a “big war machine.”
On a related note, US Vice President J. D. Vance also highlighted on Monday that Ukraine is unlikely to prevail in its conflict with Moscow. “If this doesn’t stop, the Ukrainians aren’t winning the war,” Vance, a US Marine Corps veteran, said during an interview with Charlie Kirk. He added that it was “weird” to anticipate Russia's collapse due to the ongoing tensions.
The US government has been increasingly impatient with the slow progress of negotiations between Washington, Moscow, and Kiev. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned last week that the US might withdraw from the discussions entirely if they fail to advance.
Moscow has expressed its willingness to participate in peace talks, provided that they lead to a lasting resolution that addresses the underlying issues of the conflict. It rejected a proposal for a temporary ceasefire, referencing past instances where Kiev and its Western allies exploited a pause to strengthen Ukrainian military capabilities.
Last week, Trump also acknowledged that dealing with Russian President Vladimir Putin was less challenging than engaging with Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky. “I think Russia is ready… I think we have a deal with Russia. We have to get a deal with Zelensky,” he stated to reporters. Zelensky had previously publicly dismissed a key element in the proposed US peace framework by refusing to acknowledge Crimea as Russian territory.
Since taking office in early 2025, the Trump administration has been advocating for a resolution to the conflict. Additionally, Washington is looking to establish a minerals extraction agreement with Kiev to help offset the billions of dollars spent on military and financial support for Ukraine during the tenure of Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
