President Donald Trump has painted a grim picture of the current state of relations between Ukraine and Russia, stating bluntly that the two leaders 'hate each other'.
Speaking with Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum yesterday (September 18), Trump claimed the relationship between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is beyond repair, blaming their deep personal animosity for the prolonged violence.
"The relationship between President Putin and President Zelenskyy is a horrible one. A lot to do with relationships and they truly dislike each other - I want to use that word rather than a stronger word but they really do, they hate each other."
Trump also criticised NATO and the European Union for continuing to purchase oil from Russia, even while supporting Ukraine in the conflict.
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He continued: "When I saw that they were buying oil from Russia - I mean, I'm supposed to be coming in with the United States and I took a tough stand on India, as you know, because they were buying oil and ultimately if oil prices go down.
"Ultimately if oil prices go down, or if Russia's not selling oil, they'll have no choice but to settle and when the European Union nations - or the NATO nations because they are similar, very similar - when they are buying oil from Russia, that's not the greatest thing, that's not the deal."
Trump accused European nations of acting 'quietly and slyly', suggesting that real progress in ending the war can't happen while those financial ties to Russia remain.
"You can't do that. If you're going to win, you're gonna have to not buy oil from Russia," he added.
It comes as President Trump took to Truth Social to issue a 'letter to all NATO nations and the world' on Saturday (September 13), insisting that leaders must do what he says in order to bring Russia's invasion of Ukraine to an end.
It read: "I am ready to do major Sanctions on Russia when all NATO nations have agreed, and started, to do the same thing, and when all NATO Nations STOP BUYING OIL FROM RUSSIA.
"As you know, NATO’S commitment to WIN has been far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian Oil, by some, has been shocking! It greatly weakens your negotiating position, and bargaining power, over Russia.
"Anyway, I am ready to 'go' when you are. Just say when? I believe that this, plus NATO, as a group, placing 50% to 100% TARIFFS ON CHINA, to be fully withdrawn after the WAR with Russia and Ukraine is ended, will also be of great help in ENDING this deadly, but RIDICULOUS, WAR."
The POTUS' letter continued: "China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia, and these powerful Tariffs will break that grip. This is not TRUMP’S WAR (it would never have started if I was President!), it is Biden’s and Zelenskyy’s WAR. I am only here to help stop it, and save thousands of Russian and Ukrainian lives (7,118 lives lost last week, alone. CRAZY!).
"If NATO does as I say, the WAR will end quickly, and all of those lives will be saved! If not, you are just wasting my time, and the time, energy, and money of the United States.
"Thank you for your attention to this matter! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."
Topics: Donald Trump, Ukraine, Russia, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Joe Yates