Former US President Donald Trump has reignited his critique of the Biden administration’s handling of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, claiming that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has already “lost” the war. Speaking on the PBD Podcast on October 18, Trump called the war “a loser” and accused President Joe Biden of provoking Russia into launching its military campaign, asserting that the conflict would not have occurred had he remained in office after the 2020 election. His remarks come as he continues to position himself as the Republican frontrunner for the 2024 presidential election, framing himself as a candidate who could swiftly end the war if returned to power.

In his podcast appearance, Trump emphasized that the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine is a “loser,” casting doubt on Zelensky’s leadership. While acknowledging Ukraine’s hardships, Trump characterized Zelensky as a “great salesman” who has successfully secured substantial US financial aid without delivering any significant victory over Russia.

“Zelensky is one of the greatest salesmen I have ever seen,” Trump remarked. “Every time he comes in [to the US], we give him a hundred billion dollars. Who else in history has gotten that kind of money?” He added, “That does not mean I do not want to help him because I feel very badly for those people [in Ukraine]. But he [Zelensky] should never have let that war start.”

Trump’s remarks not only signal his skepticism about Ukraine’s chances of winning the war but also highlight his belief that Zelensky could have taken more proactive measures to prevent the conflict from escalating in the first place.

The former president’s critique of President Joe Biden is central to his narrative. Trump has long accused Biden of mishandling foreign policy, particularly in relation to Russia. In his comments on the podcast, Trump argued that Biden’s statements leading up to Russia’s invasion were inflammatory and contributed to the conflict’s outbreak.

“If you watch his words [before the war started], his words were the exact opposite of what he should have been saying. He instigated that war,” Trump said. While Trump acknowledged that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “no angel,” he emphasized that Biden’s foreign policy errors were critical in sparking the conflict.

Trump’s claim that Biden’s approach was the “exact opposite” of what should have been done aligns with his previous assertions that he had maintained better relations with world leaders, including Putin. Trump has long suggested that his personal rapport with Putin would have prevented such a conflict from occurring in the first place.

Trump has consistently portrayed himself as a dealmaker capable of brokering peace where others have failed. On the PBD Podcast, he once again floated the idea that the war could have been avoided had he won reelection in 2020. Trump claimed that his diplomatic skills and relationships with global leaders, including Putin and Zelensky, would have allowed him to prevent the outbreak of violence.

“I think I will settle the Russia-Ukraine [conflict], while I am president-elect,” Trump said. He added that he believes the world would “behave” once he is back in office, a continuation of his broader narrative that he commands international respect in a way that Biden does not.

Although Trump did not provide specifics on how he plans to resolve the conflict, he expressed confidence in his ability to broker peace between the warring sides. He referenced a recent meeting with Zelensky in New York, stating that he maintains a good relationship with both Zelensky and Putin. However, Trump stopped short of outlining any concrete steps he would take to persuade both sides to cease hostilities.

In June 2023, reports surfaced that Trump’s team had been developing a “road map” to end the war in Ukraine. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded cautiously, stating that the value of any plan would depend on its details and its recognition of the realities on the battlefield. While Peskov reiterated Moscow’s openness to negotiations, he emphasized that any talks must be substantive and acknowledge the facts on the ground.

Moscow’s restrained response reflects the complexities of the situation. While Trump continues to emphasize his personal relationships with world leaders, any peace proposal would have to navigate the entrenched positions of both Russia and Ukraine. The conflict has resulted in the annexation of Ukrainian territory by Russia, a point that would likely be a major stumbling block in any negotiations. Additionally, Ukrainian officials have consistently stated that they will not negotiate with Russia until Moscow withdraws from all occupied territories.

Despite his critique of Zelensky, Trump expressed sympathy for Ukraine and its people, underscoring his belief that the conflict could spiral into a far more dangerous situation. He warned that, without decisive action, the war could escalate into a global conflict, even raising the specter of World War III.

“If something is not done to end it, the fighting could get worse,” Trump warned, adding that the current trajectory could lead to catastrophic consequences for the world. This aligns with his broader message that Biden’s foreign policy has weakened the U.S.’s standing on the world stage and increased the risk of larger-scale conflict.

Trump’s remarks about the Russia-Ukraine conflict are part of his larger strategy to position himself as a strong leader capable of handling foreign policy crises more effectively than Biden. His criticism of Zelensky, while controversial, is likely aimed at resonating with a segment of the Republican electorate that has grown increasingly skeptical of continued US support for Ukraine.

At the same time, Trump’s confidence in his ability to resolve the war, if elected, highlights the central role foreign policy is expected to play in the 2024 presidential campaign. By painting himself as the candidate who can bring peace and stability, Trump aims to differentiate himself from Biden’s record, particularly as the conflict in Ukraine drags on with no clear resolution in sight.

Whether Trump’s claims will resonate with voters remains to be seen, but his focus on the war-and his insistence that he could have prevented it-suggests that the Russia-Ukraine conflict will remain a key talking point as the US moves closer to the 2024 election.

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