Trump hints Ukraine's borders could change under potential peace deal
Photo: Donald Trump (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump states that a peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine could be reached soon. At the same time, he hints that the country's borders might change.
What is preventing war from ending
During the conversation, the journalist notes that Trump, upon taking office, promised to bring peace to Ukraine, yet the war continues. In this regard, the host asks what the main obstacle to peace is.
"It was the hatred between Zelenskyy and Putin. I believe that we're very close to making a deal," Trump replies.
Relations with Zelenskyy and Putin
When asked whom the US leader trusts more, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy or Vladimir Putin, Trump does not answer. However, he says he has good relations with both leaders and will be meeting with them (though this apparently refers to the Ukraine-US-Russia talks in Abu Dhabi scheduled for November 10–11).
Trump goes on to say that the only reason the war will end is because of him personally. When asked whether Zelenskyy's hatred is more understandable, given that it was Russia that invaded Ukraine, his response was as follows:
"Well, it is, but it was also very, very when they had their first meeting, there was great disrespect shown to Russia. So, I'm not going to say anything. I mean, but balancing out invading disrespect. Let's put it this way. The war never happened during my four years, and it was never going to happen even though it was the apple of President Putin's eye," Trump states.
Is Putin lying to Trump
The US leader is also asked if he thought Putin was lying to him, to which Trump replied in the negative. In response to the criticism that he is once again talking about achieving peace quickly, but in the end, it appears that Putin himself is the obstacle to this, as well as to a journalist's remark regarding the suspension of aid to Ukraine and the diesel deal with Russia, Trump immediately outlines his tough stance.
"There's been nobody tougher on Russia than me... Look at our trade. Look what I've done to them on trade with the sanctions and everything else... I didn't lift diesel sanctions, I made it possible for Russia to give not us but to the world thousands and thousands of barrels of oil of diesel oil which it needed didn't do any big favor, but look at what I've done. In fact, there's an old statement that Obama gave them sheets, and I gave them anti-tank busters. Okay, that's what I gave them," the US President emphasizes.
Is US supplying weapons to Ukraine?
In light of Trump's response, the host notes that Ukraine is currently receiving weapons from Europe. But the US President immediately objects, stating that the US is supplying the weapons, but Europe is now paying for them.
"I give it to Europe, sell it at full price, and they pay us. And not only that, the 350 billion. I felt so bad about it because I thought it was so stupid. Europe has money. Europe would have paid, but nobody asked. So, we just gave weapon after weapon after weapon, and we supplied the weapons. And by the way, Ukraine had the courage to use them because you still have to have courage to use them, and they've been very formidable, but they had the best weapons on earth. Uh, and we got nothing for it," Trump says.
Hint at changes to Ukraine's borders following war
Returning to the peace agreement, Trump reiterates that it will be reached soon. Moreover, by all accounts, the US President hints that Ukraine's territorial boundaries might change following the end of the war and the conclusion of the agreement. At least that is his response to the question of whether he expects everything to end with a free and independent Ukraine.
"I think we're going to have it done, and I think it's going to happen, and they're going to end up with a little bit different shape. Ukraine, look, this is a war that should have never happened. If I were president, this war would have never happened," says the American leader.
Starlink speed limits for Ukraine
Another topic discussed in the interview was the incident involving speed limits imposed by Starlink and Starshield on Ukraine. When asked who actually controls this system in the combat zone, him or billionaire Elon Musk, Trump replies that he knew nothing about it, that it was definitely not him, and that it was unlikely to have been Musk.
"It hasn't been proven to me that it was turned down. There's a lot of lies going on with that war, but I know that when I heard about it, it went back up," Trump concludes.
What else important to know
Last night, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the main topic in the negotiations to end the war in Ukraine was security guarantees, which, in particular, extend beyond Ukraine's borders (referring to Europe). According to him, when Trump speaks of progress, he likely means progress on this issue.
