U.S. President Donald Trump told journalists on Wednesday that the Russians “have the cards” in negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine, AFP reports.
“I think the Russians want to see the war end... But I think they have the cards a little bit, because they've taken a lot of territory, so they have the cards,” he reportedly said.
In the days since U.S. and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia to discuss a ceasefire deal, Trump has repeatedly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, echoing claims frequently made by Russian officials. On Tuesday, he called for new elections in Ukraine and claimed that Zelensky’s approval rating is as low as “four percent.” A day later, he called Zelensky a “dictator” and accused him of profiting from Russia’s invasion.