Trump says Russia-Ukraine war wasn’t ‘Russia’s fault’—blames Biden and Zelensky

US President Donald Trump has dismissed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a crucial participant in efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, stating that he does not consider the Ukrainian leader integral to negotiations. Trump’s remarks, made during a Fox News interview on Friday, have intensified tensions between Washington and Kyiv, raising questions about the United States‘ evolving stance on the conflict.

The US President’s comments have sparked backlash, particularly as US officials engaged in talks with Russian representatives in Saudi Arabia earlier this week—negotiations that took place without Ukraine’s involvement. European leaders and Kyiv have expressed frustration over this development, viewing it as a sidelining of Ukraine in discussions that directly impact its sovereignty and security.

Why Does Trump Believe Zelensky Is Not Crucial to Peace Talks?

During the interview, Trump dismissed Zelensky’s participation in high-level discussions regarding the war, arguing that his leadership had made diplomatic progress more difficult.

“I don’t think he’s very important to be in meetings,” Trump said, pointing to what he described as a lack of progress in Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts. He emphasized that despite Zelensky’s three years in office, negotiations had not led to a resolution of the war.

The exclusion of Ukraine from the Saudi-hosted discussions has only fueled skepticism over the US President’s approach to the conflict, with critics questioning whether Washington is shifting toward a more pragmatic but controversial strategy—negotiating directly with Russia while keeping Ukraine at arm’s length.

Did Trump Acknowledge Russia’s Role in the War?

While Trump admitted that Russia “attacked” Ukraine, he maintained that the war could have been avoided if different diplomatic approaches had been taken.

“Yes, Russia attacked, but there was no reason for him [Vladimir Putin] to attack,” he said. “You could have talked him out of it. That war should have never happened.”

He attributed responsibility for the war to both former US President Joe Biden and Zelensky, suggesting that their actions provoked the invasion. “Every time I say, ‘It’s not Russia’s fault,’ but Biden said the wrong things, Zelensky said the wrong things, and they got attacked, which was a bad thing to do. But Russia could have been talked out of it so easily,” Trump argued.

Despite repeated questioning by the Fox News host on who was ultimately responsible for the conflict, Trump avoided a direct answer, instead continuing to blame what he described as diplomatic missteps by US and Ukrainian leadership.

Why Is Trump Frustrated Over Ukraine’s Rare Earth Minerals Deal?

The interview also highlighted Trump’s frustration with Zelensky over the collapse of a rare earth minerals agreement between the United States and Ukraine. The US President criticized Zelensky’s negotiating strategy, claiming that Ukraine had failed to leverage its natural resources effectively.

“I’ve been watching him negotiate with no cards. He has no cards, and you get sick of it,” Trump said.

According to Trump, a deal had been in place to grant US companies access to Ukraine’s rare earth mineral deposits, but negotiations ultimately fell apart. He blamed Ukrainian officials for failing to finalize the agreement, stating that even the US Treasury Secretary had traveled to Kyiv in an effort to push the deal forward.

“We made a deal with rare earth, and [the] Secretary of Treasury — very good guy, actually went there, and they couldn’t even come close to getting a deal done,” he said.

Expressing regret over the effort, Trump suggested that the trip to Ukraine had been a waste of time and resources. “Frankly, I wish he didn’t go there, waste all of his time like that. It was just a wasted trip. A dangerous trip too,” he said.

How Has the US-Ukraine Relationship Changed Under Trump?

Relations between Trump and Zelensky have deteriorated further following the US President’s recent remarks, in which he referred to Zelensky as a “dictator without elections.” Trump warned that Ukraine’s leader needed to “move fast” or risk losing control of the country.

Zelensky strongly rejected Trump’s comments, arguing that the US President was being influenced by Russian disinformation. The Ukrainian leader also criticized recent US-Russia negotiations, suggesting that Washington’s willingness to engage with Moscow risked strengthening Putin’s position on the global stage.

“This isn’t positive for Ukraine. What it does is put the focus back on Russia, and they are happy about that,” Zelensky stated.

Will Ukraine Sign a Rare Earth Minerals Agreement With the US?

Despite initial resistance, the White House has confirmed that Ukraine is expected to sign an agreement granting the United States access to its mineral resources. Trump’s National Security Advisor Michael Waltz said on Friday that the deal was now imminent.

“Look, here’s the bottom line, President Zelensky is going to sign that deal, and you will see that in the very short term, and that is good for Ukraine,” Waltz stated at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) near Washington.

He further suggested that Trump’s role in brokering the agreement could enhance his legacy. “By the end of this all, we are going to have the Nobel Peace Prize sitting next to the name of Donald J. Trump,” Waltz said.

Why Is Ukraine Hesitant to Share Its Rare Earth Minerals?

Ukraine initially rejected Washington’s demands to share its rare earth minerals, with Zelensky arguing that such a deal would amount to selling off Ukraine’s strategic resources.

Waltz had previously stated that granting the United States access to these critical minerals could be exchanged for continued military assistance or even as repayment for past aid.

“We presented the Ukrainians with an incredible and historic opportunity,” Waltz said, calling the proposal “sustainable” and “the best” security guarantee Ukraine could receive. Zelensky, however, refused, stating, “I can’t sell our state.”

What Makes Rare Earth Minerals So Valuable?

Rare earth minerals refer to a group of 17 elements crucial to the production of high-tech devices, including electric vehicle batteries, smartphones, and military equipment. These elements are considered irreplaceable due to their unique properties.

According to the US Geological Survey, 50 minerals are classified as critical to American economic and national security interests, including rare earth elements, nickel, and lithium. While Ukraine possesses significant deposits of uranium, lithium, and titanium, it does not rank among the world’s top five holders of rare earth mineral reserves.

Why Is Trump Interested in Ukraine’s Mineral Wealth?

The United States currently has only one operational rare earth mine and limited processing capabilities, making it heavily reliant on foreign imports. China remains the dominant supplier of these essential materials, and Trump’s administration has long sought alternative sources to reduce dependence on Beijing.

Zelensky has previously promoted Ukraine’s mineral resources as a way to strengthen economic ties with Washington. In recent months, he has emphasized that US support for Ukraine is also in America’s best interest, as access to these minerals could benefit key American industries.

With Ukraine now expected to sign the rare earth minerals deal, the agreement could shape the future of US-Ukraine relations while playing a crucial role in America’s long-term strategy for securing critical resources.