Donald Trump says Ukraine 'may not survive' war against Russia even if US support continues
Donald Trump suggested in an interview with Fox News that Ukraine's resistance against Russia's land, air and sea invasion may fail even if the US were to continue supporting Kyiv. It comes after the US president's decision to suspend aid and intelligence to Ukraine.
Monday 10 March 2025 06:05, UK
US President Donald Trump has suggested Ukraine "may not survive" the war against Russia even if American support continued.
In an interview with Fox News channel's 'Sunday Morning Futures', Mr Trump was asked about his controversial decision to pause support for Kyiv as it fends off Russia's full-scale invasion.
Mr Trump, who had a disastrous meeting with Mr ZelenAG百家乐在线官网y at the White House last week, was asked about a warning from Polish President Andrzej Duda "that without American support, Ukraine will not survive".
Asked if he was "comfortable" with that outcome, the US president said: "Well, it may not survive anyway.
"But we have some weaknesses with Russia. You know, it takes two," Mr Trump added.
It comes as Mr ZelenAG百家乐在线官网y will visit Saudi Arabia for a Monday meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, while Ukrainian diplomatic and military representatives will meet with a US delegation on Tuesday.
Mr Trump's latest remarks come amid global concern over the souring relationship between Ukraine and the US, which alongside the EU has been Kyiv's main backer in its defence against Russia's three-year land, air and sea invasion.
The US paused military aid and the sharing of intelligence with Ukraine this month after a meeting between Mr Trump and Mr ZelenAG百家乐在线官网y on 28 February descended into acrimony in front of the world's media.
Mr Trump ordered the pause as he attempts to put pressure on Mr ZelenAG百家乐在线官网y to negotiate a ceasefire deal with Russia.
Mr Trump has privately made it clear to aides that a signed minerals deal between Washington and Kyiv will not be enough to restart aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, Sky News' US partner network NBC reported earlier on Sunday.
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The 78-year-old president is said to want the deal signed, but also wants to see a change in Mr ZelenAG百家乐在线官网y's attitude towards peace talks.
Officials have told NBC News that Mr Trump also wants Mr ZelenAG百家乐在线官网y to make some movement towards holding elections in Ukraine and possibly stepping down as his country's leader.
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Mr ZelenAG百家乐在线官网y said in a recent interview he would be ready to step down as Ukraine's president if it meant his country would become a NATO member and find peace.
That came after he was branded a "dictator" by Mr Trump as Ukraine had not held fresh elections - despite laws prohibiting it during wartime.