New York: U.S. President Donald Trump intensified his criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday, calling him “ungrateful” and claiming that Ukraine received U.S. aid effortlessly during Joe Biden’s presidency.
“He’s a smart guy, and he’s a tough guy,” Trump said about Zelenskyy during an interview with Maria Bartiromo on Fox News. “He took money out of this country, under Biden, like candy from a baby. It was so easy.”
🚨 Trump rips Zelensky: “He took money out of this country, under Biden, like candy from a baby… I just don’t think he’s grateful.” pic.twitter.com/oS6KtUPRCP
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) March 9, 2025
Trump also criticized Zelenskyy’s focus on Ukraine’s fight against Russia, saying, “We gave him $350 billion, and he is talking about the fact that they have fought and they have this bravery.”
The Republican leader emphasized his role in supplying Javelin anti-tank weapons to Ukraine and insisted that the ongoing war would have been avoided had he remained in office in 2022.
“All he (Zelenskyy) had to do is say (to Europe), you got to stay even with us (the U.S.) … We’re not in danger, they (Europe) are … So they’re paying all this money to Russia, and we’re in there for $350 billion,” he said.
Previously, Trump had ordered a halt to all military aid to Ukraine, straining U.S.-Ukraine relations just days after a tense Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy. The decision effectively froze billions in U.S. weaponry, leaving Kyiv uncertain about its defensive capabilities.
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When Bartiromo asked Trump if he was comfortable walking away from Ukraine before securing a minerals deal, suggesting Ukraine “may not survive”, Trump responded:
“Well, it may not survive anyway. But, you know, we have some weaknesses with Russia. You know, it takes two.”
‼️🇺🇲🇺🇦 #Trump warned in an interview with Fox News that Ukraine's existence could be at risk:
— Maimunka News (@MaimunkaNews) March 9, 2025
"In any case, #Ukraine may not survive" pic.twitter.com/xVwFDObgwt
Pressed on whether he had chosen Russia’s side by calling Zelenskyy a dictator and engaging in a heated Oval Office exchange, Trump avoided a direct response.
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“Nobody has been tougher on Russia than Donald Trump. Nobody. And they know that, they know that. Just look at the things I just told you. The pipeline – I stopped it,” he asserted.
