President Trump suggested that Ukraine might not be able to survive against Russia even if the US forged ahead with full-blown support for its fight.
Trump’s remarks came while defending his decision to draw down support to Ukraine in the face of Polish President Andrzej Duda’s and others’ concerns that Europe lacks the might to prop up Kyiv without the US.
“Well, it may not survive anyway,” Trump told Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” in an interview that aired Sunday.
“We have some weaknesses with Russia,” Trump added. “It takes two. Look, it was not going to happen — that war and it happened. So now we’re stuck with this mess.”
Last week CIA director John Ratcliffe confirmed that most intelligence sharing with Ukraine has been paused.
The Trump administration has also halted aid to Ukraine.
Ukrainian and American officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia this week.