President Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort claimed that Ukrainian President Voldimia Zelensky “will survive by having a nation in war.” After a controversial oval office meeting with two presidents last week.
“Zelensky is Imperial,” Manafort told News Nations.Cuomo“Monday.” His office has expired. He is the president of martial law and that's fine. ”
“I mean, that's a legitimate position, but his popularity in Ukraine isn't that high,” he added.
Manafort, who previously advised former Ukrainian President Viktor Janukovic, said Zelensky had political motivations to extend the conflict.
“I'm not saying he likes war, but he survives by having a country in war, so finding a way to stop combat is his interest, but it's not necessarily going to reach peace until he's politically strengthened,” Manafort said.
His comments come after Friday's oval office photo OP. There, Trump begs the Ukrainian leadership in front of the camera and calls him “disrespectful” after Zelensky pushed Vice President Vance on a diplomatic solution with Russia.
According to Manafort, Trump had developed a peace plan that included European partners and peacekeeping forces. He said Zelensky warned that coming to Washington was “probably not a good idea,” but insisted on a visit.
Manafort claimed Democrats The lawmaker met Zelensky “We let him all juice up,” they said before the White House meeting, “were juiced him up,” “we weren't looking for peace, they were looking for political issues.”
When asked about Trump drawing all the aid to Ukraine, Manafort described it as “pure pressure tactics” rather than a real threat.
“[Russian President Vladimir] Putin is ready to come to the table, Manafort said, adding that Trump has plans to negotiate.
Friday's meeting was originally scheduled for a US agreement to access Ukraine's important minerals. This claims that it will help Trump boost the Ukrainian economy and regain US aid to Ukraine.
The full-scale invasion of Russia's Ukraine began in February 2022, following the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
