Donald Trump says Ukraine is 'demolished' and dismisses its defense against Russia's invasion

Former President Donald Trump described Ukraine in bleak and mournful terms Wednesday, referring to its people as “dead” and the country itself as “demolished," and further raising questions about how much the former president would be willing if elected again to concede in a negotiation over the country's future.

Trump argued Ukraine should have made concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin in the months before Russia's February 2022 attack, declaring that even “the worst deal would’ve been better than what we have now."

Trump, who has long been critical of U.S. aid to Ukraine, frequently claims that Russia never would have invaded if he was president and that he would put an end to the war if he returned to the White House. But rarely has he discussed the conflict in such detail.

His remarks, at a North Carolina event billed as an economic speech, come on the heels of a debate this month in which he pointedly refused to say whether he wanted Ukraine to win the war. On Tuesday, Trump touted the prowess of Russia and its predecessor Soviet Union, saying that wars are “what they do.”

[dB_]

We wouldn’t be here in the first place if “81 million” people hadn’t voted for uncle Joe.

[presidentpotato]

New American Tax Payers cash .. keeps flowing to every place but the United States Citizens ..

[sajadarif]

Trump right save lifes is more important then people with ego.

[Chuck-jsdy]

I’m voting t ru m p more now then ever

[KorithStoneheart]

Well, wouldn't that end the war?

[SuperFitzieZX]

You know, ending the war could also just have neither side win too. I’m pretty sure Trump wants that.

[rocke]

Kamala just learned about Ukraine when this war started.

[paulmanoli]

An evil posing as a remedy knows no limits.

[Rev.jefferyrol]

Trump is not the president and don't have the authority to met with Zelenski. If Zelenski do, then Vice President Kamala Harris should tear up the deal with him.

[johnsaleem]

Trump for President. No Harris. We do not support Ukraine fighting till the last Ukrainian standing. NATO should take care of itself, and leave Ukraine alone. This cold war mentality has no room in this century. Bravo President Trump. Fighting for human lives is the way forward.

[robertchristianson]

If you say it is true play the video of him saying that

[atbd]

Any suggestion Ukraine cede land to Russia is “dangerous and unacceptable”

[shesargur]

Trump wants to stop the war in a non-violent way!!! I hope he can do that! To many people have died and to much money has been spent on this. Why are Americans always expected to bankrupt them selves for other countries??? Let Trump try to settle this peacefully!

[Banduryst]

Your title is misleading and should be changed. Nowhere in this clip does Trump say what you state in the title.

[KulaGGin]

That's not true btw. Ukraine is not demolished. We stand strong. And we can win if the world helps us. So far we've been getting enough help to stop them but not push them back(no long-range artillery, from what military people sa).
Out of buildings in my city(Lviv), pretty much all of them are standing. I haven't seen a ruined building IRL. Yes, there were hits but it gets restored quickly in days.
From what I saw on the map, they took 15% of the land but all the main cities stand, none of the main cities have been taken since the start in 2022.

[catdavis]

Zelensky should not have bothered to speak to the clueless.

[Eyeinthesky]

Ukraine won’t surrender because they will no longer exists. The land should be divided among the neighbors. Rename it. Rukraine

[aliasalias]

Isn’t this story like eight years old?

[muatrang]

I was fully supported TRUMP since 2016 until now I feel like he is kind of big mouth in several campaigns trail. Talk too much while not suppose to, talking while he still can not do could make Harris and her team an opportunity to make fun and even more criticism to him . BAD RATHER THAN GOOD… should not declare what and will do to something that he could not make it now, , ,

[Albe]

If trump was in power during WW2 I bet he would be rooting for Germany.