Trump Claims Ukraine "Could Become Russian"
U.S. President Donald Trump made a controversial statement, suggesting that Ukraine "might someday become Russian." This remark, made during an interview with Fox News, sparked extensive discussion amidst the ongoing standoff between Kyiv and Moscow, as well as the upcoming meeting between his Vice President, J.D. Vance, and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, reports NewsBox.
In the interview, Trump discussed potential ways to resolve the conflict and the future of Ukraine, leaving room for ambiguous interpretations, reports CNN.
"They might strike a deal, or they might not. They could become part of Russia in the future, or they might not," he remarked, also touching on the benefits for the U.S. from the aid provided to Kyiv.
The statement by the U.S. President is likely to be met with satisfaction in the Kremlin since Russian authorities have not hidden their ambitions to annex Ukrainian territories. The spokesperson for the Kremlin, Dmitry Peskov, has already commented on Trump's statement, claiming that "a significant part of Ukraine wants to become Russia, and the fact that it is already part of Russia is indisputable."
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, hoping to establish control over Kyiv within a few weeks. However, three years later, hostilities continue, and Moscow holds about 20% of Ukrainian territory. In 2023, the Kremlin held sham referendums in four occupied regions (Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson) attempting to legitimize the annexation.
Despite Russian authorities' claims, the international community did not recognize these votes, calling them a gross violation of international law.
The U.S. President also stated that his administration has achieved "significant progress" in preparing conditions for peaceful negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. He also expressed the desire for the U.S. to gain economic benefit in return for the aid provided to Kyiv, mentioning the possibility of access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals.
"I told them we need to get something. We can't just keep sending money," Trump emphasized, claiming that Ukraine had agreed to provide resources in exchange for financial support.
Trump's comments raised concerns among European leaders who are preparing to meet his closest associates at the Munich Security Conference. Polish President Andrzej Duda has already commented, emphasizing that Russia "cannot come out the winner in this war" and that Ukraine must maintain its territorial integrity.
"The ideal scenario would be the return of all occupied lands. However, the key goal now is to stop the war, but not on Russia's terms," Duda stated in an interview with CNN.