In his speech, a day after he paused all military aid to Ukraine, Trump mentioned he had simply obtained a letter from Zelenskyy by which the Ukrainian president mentioned he was “prepared” for peace negotiations and will signal a US-Ukraine minerals sharing deal “any time”.
“Concurrently, we have had critical discussions with Russia and have obtained sturdy alerts that they’re prepared for peace,” Trump mentioned. “Would not that be stunning?”
The pause in assist threatened Kyiv’s efforts to defend in opposition to Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion three years in the past, and additional rattled European leaders nervous that Trump is transferring the US too far towards Moscow.
Whereas Trump has appeared to fault Ukraine for beginning the battle, a brand new Reuters/Ipsos ballot discovered 70 per cent of People – together with two-thirds of Republicans – say Russia was extra guilty.
Trump additionally doubled down on his controversial vows on “taking again” the Panama Canal and getting Greenland from Denmark “a method or one other”.
“We’d welcome you within the US in case you select,” Trump mentioned. “We are going to hold you protected, we are going to make you wealthy, and collectively we are going to take Greenland to heights you by no means thought attainable earlier than.”
TO MARS … AND BEYOND
As his speech wound down, Trump touched on his tried assassination final yr at a rally in Pennsylvania.
“I used to be saved by God to make America nice once more,” Trump repeated.
He then moved to laud America’s previous, current and future, emphasising that “the golden age of America” had solely simply begun.
“We’re a rustic of doers, dreamers, fighters and survivors,” mentioned Trump, proclaiming that the US can even lead humanity into house and plant its flag on Mars “and even far past”.
“This will probably be our best space … we are going to combat, combat, combat for the nation our residents imagine in, and the nation our residents deserve.”
