Trump calls Zelensky ‘ungrateful’ and dodges question on whether he’s now backing Russia in Fox News interview

On Sunday, Trump reiterated that he thought Zelensky wasn’t “grateful” and added that he “took candy from a baby” — his description of the Biden administration’s policy of military and political support for Ukraine’s military.

“He’s a smart guy, and he’s a tough guy.” Trump said of Zelensky. “He took money out of this country, under [Joe] Biden, like candy from a baby.”

“Nobody has been tougher on Russia than Donald Trump,” declared the president, after an extended rant about what he called “the Russia, Russia, Russia, hoax”. “Remember, I’m the one that stopped the pipeline — Nord Stream 2.”

On the same day, he added to reporters in the Oval Office that Ukraine was, in his mind, the greater obstacle towards ending the war. The US president has repeated that he believes Russia’s Vladimir Putin is ready for peace, though US intelligence assessments have stated otherwise.

“I'm finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine. They don’t have the cards,” he said.

Some European countries including France and the UK have responded with calls for increased European support for Ukraine, though experts say other Nato countries will likely be unable to bring to bear the same capabilities as their US allies.