Zelensky hits Trump over rhetoric around war with Russia: ‘Very dangerous’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky argued former President Trump’s continued claims that he could intercede, and end the nation’s war with Russia, is “very dangerous.”
In an interview with the United Kingdom’s Channel 4 News, Zelensky invited Trump — who is the GOP front-runner in the presidential race, to visit Ukraine. But, not without a caveat.
“Donald Trump, I invite you to Ukraine, to Kyiv. If you can stop the war during 24 hours, I think it will be enough to come,” he said in the interview, released Friday, according to The Associated Press.
The invitation comes after Trump has repeatedly said he would “solve” the war in Eastern Europe if reelected. In an interview last March, the former president suggested it would be an “easy negotiation” between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I will have it solved within one day, a peace between them,” Trump had pledged.
The Ukrainian leader sent a similar invite to Trump in November after President Biden visited the war zone. Zelensky said there are some details that someone can only understand by “being here.”
On Friday, Zelensky said the lack of details in Trump’s “peace plan” made him weary to accept it and called out his rhetoric for being “very dangerous,” per the AP.
“[Trump] is going to make decisions on his own, without … I’m not even talking about Russia, but without both sides, without us… If he says this publicly, that’s a little scary,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot, a lot of victims, but that’s really making me a bit stressed.”
“Because even if his idea, that no one has heard yet, doesn’t work for us, for our people, he will do anything to implement his idea anyways,” Zelensky added. “And this worries me a little.”
The Ukrainian president’s comments come just days after he attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and attempted to rally support for his country as it endures another winter in battle.
Zelensky’s pleas for support and aid also come at a time when Congress is split over how to support its ally. Republicans in Congress have disagreed over sending aid to Ukraine for weeks now as many insist that spending be done domestically — specifically at the southern border.
Biden and Democrats, on the other hand, have argued Ukraine is worthy of more aid in its fight against Russia.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
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