Trump Blames Ukraine for War, Defends US-Russia Talks in Saudi Arabia

US President Donald Trump has ignited fresh controversy by suggesting that Ukraine is responsible for the war with Russia, while defending US-Russia negotiations in Saudi Arabia that excluded both Kyiv and European allies.

The high-level meeting between US and Russian officials, which lasted four hours in Riyadh, focused on potential pathways to end the Ukraine conflict. However, Trump’s remarks questioning Kyiv’s handling of the war and downplaying Ukraine’s role in the peace process have sparked criticism from European leaders and foreign policy analysts.

Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump dismissed concerns about Ukraine being left out of the discussions and suggested that Kyiv should have avoided the war altogether

His comments indicate that he believes Ukraine should have made concessions to Russia before the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Trump has often claimed that he could have prevented the war if he were in office.

Neither Ukraine nor European nations were included in the US-Russia discussions, raising concerns over a diplomatic shift that could favor Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted by postponing a planned visit to Saudi Arabia, signaling his displeasure over being sidelined from negotiations.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the talks, insisting that Ukraine and European allies would not be excluded in future peace efforts

Foreign policy experts and Western allies have expressed concerns over Trump’s willingness to engage Russia without Ukrainian representation. Nigel Gould-Davies, a senior fellow for Eurasia and Russia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, warned that the process appears heavily skewed in Russia’s favor:

“This so-called negotiation looks less like a peace process and more like a series of American concessions to Moscow.”

Trump’s approach to diplomacy with Russia could have long-term consequences for US relations with NATO allies. His critical stance on Ukraine’s leadership may weaken Western support for Kyiv, potentially emboldening Russia’s strategic ambitions.

While US officials maintain that any agreement with Russia could lead to “positive cooperation”, no details have been provided on what that would entail. Ukraine’s exclusion from peace discussions raises further concerns about how any potential deal would impact the region’s stability.

With Ukraine’s sovereignty and security at stake, the global community is watching closely to see whether these behind-the-scenes negotiations will bring a genuine peace resolution or shift the balance in Moscow’s favor.