### Trump Blames Zelensky for Ukraine War, Not Putin

In an unexpected twist during a podcast interview, former President Donald J. Trump pointed fingers at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, instead of Russian President Vladimir Putin, for the ongoing war in Ukraine. The conflict, commonly attributed to Russia's aggressive invasion on February 24, 2022, was reframed by Trump, who claimed Zelensky should have prevented the war.

Trump's remarks came during an appearance on a conservative podcast where he criticized President Joe Biden's administration for its continuous military aid to Ukraine. "I think Zelensky is one of the greatest salesmen I've ever seen," Trump stated. "Every time he comes in, we give him $100 billion. Who else got that kind of money in history? There's never been. And that doesn't mean I don't want to help him, because I feel very badly for those people. But he should never have let that war start. That war is a loser."

The former president suggested that Zelensky should have negotiated with Putin to prevent the invasion. "Those cities are gone, they're gone, and we continue to give billions of dollars to a man who refused to make a deal," Trump said at a recent rally in Mint Hill, North Carolina.

Trump also took the opportunity to criticize Biden's intelligence and leadership, implying that a smarter president could have easily settled the conflict. This sentiment raises significant concern among Democrats and U.S. allies about how Trump might handle the situation if he wins the upcoming election.

Moreover, Trump's close relationship with Putin remains a subject of scrutiny. Despite accusations of election interference by Russia in the 2016 election to aid Trump, he has often spoken positively about his rapport with Putin. This week, he dodged questions about whether he had communicated with Putin since leaving office, adding that it would have been a "smart thing" to do.

During a recent meeting between Trump and Zelensky at Trump Tower in Manhattan, their first in five years, Trump emphasized the need for a "fair deal for both sides" to end the war. However, Zelensky unequivocally stated that the war was initiated by Putin and urged for continued pressure to force a Russian withdrawal.

"This war shouldn't have started,” Zelensky said during a joint appearance on Fox News. "The problem is that Putin killed so many people. We need to do everything to pressure him to stop this war. He is on our territory, and it's crucial to understand that we must pressure him as much as we can to stop the war."