Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that former President Trump could become a “loser president” if elected and imposes a poor peace deal on Ukraine, saying a flawed deal could end America’s status as a world power.
Trump has repeatedly said he would negotiate a quick end to the Russia-Ukraine war if elected, once promising to deliver results “within 24 hours.” He is also expected to cut off or sharply reduce aid to the country if he becomes president.
Zelensky He told the Guardian A spokesman for Ukraine’s foreign ministry said Sunday that there was “no strategy yet” for dealing with Trump, adding that former British prime minister Boris Johnson had attempted to reach out to Trump on behalf of the Ukrainian government.
Ukrainian leaders predicted that if President Trump withheld aid to Ukraine, it would leave the country unable to stand up to Russian forces.
“Ukraine cannot fight millions of enemies without weapons and with its bare hands. [Russian] “The military,” he said.
“Does he want to be a loser president?” Zelensky warned. “Does he know what’s going to happen?”
Trump’s advisers have floated the idea that Ukraine would cede its eastern territories and Crimea to Russia in exchange for an end to the fighting. Zelensky and Ukrainian leaders have said such a deal is unacceptable and have pledged to restore all of the country’s territory.
Zelensky, who is visiting the Philippines on Monday to shore up support for Ukraine’s cause in Asia, added Sunday that any negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin would likely be a “trap.” He predicted that Putin would undermine any deal brokered by Trump and make him look “very weak.”
“This isn’t about him [Trump]”Not on an individual level, but on the American system. The system will be greatly weakened,” he continued. “The United States will no longer be a world leader.”
“Certainly, first of all, China will be strong in its domestic economy, because China undoubtedly has a strong economy,” he added, “but in terms of international influence, China will be equal to zero.”
Zelensky predicted that if the United States were not the world’s dominant power, Putin and other authoritarian leaders would feel emboldened to act.
“This is the beginning of something that everyone is afraid to talk about. This is reality,” he said. “And this is the real World War III.”
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