Trump says Starmer and Macron 'haven't done anything' to end Ukraine war

Trump says Starmer and Macron 'haven't done anything' to end Ukraine war

US President Donald Trump has criticized French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for their perceived lack of action in ending the war in Ukraine, in anticipation of their upcoming visits to the White House. Trump also expressed his opinion that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky holds no significant leverage in peace negotiations, stating, “I don’t think he’s very important to be in meetings.” Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, various countries including the UK and France have been providing support to Kyiv through the supply of weapons and other aid.

In a recent interview with Fox News, Trump appeared to praise both Macron and Sir Keir, describing Macron as a “friend” and referring to the British prime minister as a “very nice guy”. Macron is scheduled to visit Washington DC on Monday, while Sir Keir is expected to arrive on Thursday. Meanwhile, the British prime minister has expressed his readiness to deploy UK troops to Ukraine as part of a peace agreement to ensure its security. Despite ruling out negotiations with Russia, European leaders have held regular discussions regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, highlighted his positive discussions with President Zelensky during their meeting in Kyiv, commending Zelensky as a “courageous leader”. However, Trump had previously referred to Zelensky as a “dictator”, emphasizing his frustration with the Ukrainian president’s perceived lack of influence in negotiations. Amidst ongoing diplomacy efforts, Trump reiterated his belief that Russia and Ukraine would not initiate peace talks without his direct involvement, emphasizing his disdain for Zelensky’s approach. Despite his critical remarks, Trump indicated his willingness to engage in a phone call with Ukraine’s president if necessary.

Furthermore, Trump’s remarks regarding Zelensky’s role in initiating the conflict and Russia’s stance on negotiations have raised concerns among analysts. US Vice-President JD Vance defended Trump’s position on Russia, dismissing claims of appeasement and asserting that negotiations aim to end the conflict rather than favor one side. As discussions continue, Washington and Kyiv are reportedly nearing an agreement granting the US access to Ukraine’s rare earth mineral deposits as a form of repayment for past military support. Both parties are working on finalizing the details of the agreement, with President Zelensky emphasizing the importance of accuracy in the negotiations

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