Trump claims Russia wants 'all of Ukraine', not just captured territories
Photo: Donald Trump, President of the United States (Getty Images)
In an interview with NBC News, US President Donald Trump stated that Russia does not have enough Ukrainian territories that it has already captured during the war. Moscow is aiming for complete control of Ukraine.
During the interview, Meet the Press host Kristen Welker asked President Trump what Russia would have to give up as part of a peace agreement with Ukraine. Trump responded, "All of Ukraine."
Welker followed up, asking if he meant that Russia would not leave any piece of Ukrainian land it has already captured. Trump clarified that he was referring to something else.
"No, no. Russia would have to give up all of Ukraine. Because what Russia wants is all of Ukraine. And if I didn’t get involved, they would be fighting right now for all of Ukraine. Russia doesn’t want the strip that they have now; Russia wants all of Ukraine. And if it weren’t me, they would keep going," said the US President.
Trump also revealed that European leaders had reportedly asked him multiple times to call Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"Because he doesn’t return their phone call," he concluded.
Notably, Trump's comments contradict a recent statement from his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. In an interview with The Free Press, Rubio said that Russia doesn't plan to capture all of Ukraine. He also pointed out that neither Russia nor Ukraine will be able to fully achieve their military goals.
Trump and the war in Ukraine
Trump, who promised to stop Russia's war against Ukraine within 24 hours before returning to the White House, has been actively trying to negotiate at least a 30-day ceasefire for several months. However, Russia has stubbornly ignored the US President's calls.
Recently, Trump stated that the US is now closer to one of the parties in the negotiations. Although he did not specify which one, he mentioned an agreement on subsoil resources with Ukraine, which he described as "good for Americans."
Additionally, a proposal for tough sanctions against Russia was introduced in the US Congress to force it into peace with Ukraine. Trump stated that the US could indeed impose these sanctions if Russia does not change its behavior.
