Donald Trump, during a Thursday appearance, attributed the initiation of the war in Ukraine to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, indicating a potential shift in U.S. policy towards Russia should he win the upcoming election on November 5. The former Republican president has consistently criticized Zelenskiy throughout his campaign, labeling him “the greatest salesman on Earth” for securing substantial U.S. military assistance since the onset of the conflict in 2022.

Additionally, Trump has reproached the Ukrainian president for not pursuing peace negotiations with Moscow, suggesting that Ukraine might need to relinquish some territory to achieve a settlement, a notion that Kyiv firmly rejects. On the PBD Podcast with Patrick Bet-David, Trump’s remarks escalated beyond his earlier critiques, asserting that Zelenskiy was not only responsible for the ongoing war but also for its inception, despite the fact that the conflict began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Trump expressed his willingness to assist, stating, “I feel a deep sympathy for those affected. However, he should never have allowed that war to commence. The war is a failure.” This remark followed a meeting in New York in September, where Zelenskiy shared his “victory plan” to conclude the conflict, a meeting both leaders characterized as amicable.

Nevertheless, Trump’s statements indicate that he may consider reducing aid to Ukraine if he wins against Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, on November 5. He has claimed he could resolve the conflict before assuming office in January, though he has not specified how he would achieve this.

In contrast, Harris has committed to maintaining support for Ukraine, framing its success as crucial to U.S. national security. She has consistently criticized Trump for his reluctance to confront Russian President Vladimir Putin.