Critics blasted President Donald Trump after he followed up a proposed Ukrainian "peace plan" — that essentially gives Russia one-sided concessions for nothing — with a speech from his private residence in Palm Beach in which he scolded Ukraine for starting the conflict.
“You’ve been there for three years. You should’ve ended it in three years. You should have never started it," said Trump.
This massive reversal of U.S. policy to back Ukraine against the Russian invasion, justified with propaganda talking points pushed by the Kremlin, triggered immediate outrage from policymakers and national security experts alike.
"Fact: Russia invaded Ukraine, twice, in 2014 and 2022. President Trump is echoing a Russian talking point here," wrote CNN's Jim Sciutto on X.
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"Trump once again blames Ukraine for starting the war. Trump blames Ukraine for invading Ukraine," wrote former Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL), a one-time Tea Party activist turned conservative Never Trump crusader. "Sure, tell me Trump isn’t working for Putin. Tell me he’s not a Russian asset. Go ahead."
"Truly, it’s time for everyone to admit it, Trump is legitimately a Russian asset," wrote former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL).
"TRUMP IS DISGUSTING!" wrote podcaster Ed Krassenstein. "He literally just claimed that Ukraine shouldn't have started this war. He's literally blaming Ukraine for starting the war & is taking Putin's side. How can MAGA still support this man? He's siding with a murderous dictator and spouting Russian lies."
"Listening to Trump you’d think Ukraine was bombing its own cities and invading its own country," wrote New Yorker staff writer Susan Glasser.
"Trump claims Ukraine started the war — a total disgrace against everything America represents," wrote conservative attorney Heath Mayo. "Don’t be shocked — be motivated. And for damn sure do not bend the knee. Stiffen your spine and get ready to win back an America with a moral compass."
"Trump's team allegedly has offered Putin (1) Ukrainian territory, (2) no NATO membership for Ukraine, (3) no US soldiers in Ukraine, (4) the withdrawal of US soldiers from Europe, including from frontline states, and (5) sanctions relief," wrote former U.S. Ambassador to Russia and Stanford University political science professor Michael McFaul. "Putin's return offer -- nothing."
"Donald Trump is the President of the United States and the Spokesperson for Vladimir Putin," wrote Ed Davey, head of the British Liberal Democrats party. "Only we in the UK and Europe will protect Ukraine."