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By Brendan Cole
Senior Reporter
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The Biden administration did not give Ukraine weapons in time before Russia's 2022 invasion and so the Ukrainians were left to fight on their own at the start of the war, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In comments widely reported by Russian media, the Ukrainian leader told Fox News he had appealed to Washington for arms but was told he would get them only if Russia sent in troops. Meanwhile, Europe was waiting for the go-ahead from the U.S. before it could help Kyiv, he said.
Zelensky also said he was optimistic that President Donald Trump can pressure Vladimir Putin to change the course of the war and praised his rhetoric about the Russian president as "just and fair."
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Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment by email.
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Why It Matters
Zelensky's criticism of the Biden administration, which gave billions in aid to Kyiv, may come as a surprise. While it could be an appeal to Fox News' GOP-leaning audience, his praise of Trump could also be a smart diplomatic move, given Zelensky's hopes for pressure by the Trump administration on Putin to end the war.
What To Know
Zelensky began Tuesday's interview with Sean Hannity by praising Trump's remarks about Putin and negotiating an end to the war, saying that the Russian president was afraid of a "strong" U.S. president backing Ukraine. Last week, Trump wrote on Truth Social, his social media platform, that Putin should make a deal ending the conflict or face "taxes, tariffs and sanctions."
Zelensky also said that the U.S. was essential in bolstering any security guarantees for Ukraine, which Kyiv has demanded should there be any deal because such assurances from Europe would not be enough.
But when asked about the Biden administration's response to Putin's invasion in February 2022, Zelensky said that before the start of the war he was contacting Biden and the State Department to call for a preventive response, which included arms and sanctions.
He said he had asked for weapons straight away but was told that they would be forthcoming only if Russia invaded. At the same time, he had asked the EU for help, but it was waiting for the approval of Washington. This meant that at the start of the invasion Ukrainians were "fighting on our own," he said.
RBC and RIA Novosti were among the Russian media outlets that reported Zelensky's comments.
Just before Biden left office, the United States provided a new $500 million military aid package to Ukraine, taking the total since the start of the war to $62 billion.
Former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on January 9 that the U.S., along with Ukraine Defense Contact Group's 57 members, had contributed more than $126 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, including tanks, air defense systems, combat vehicles, munitions, F-16 aircraft and training for pilots.
What People Are Saying
President Volodymr Zelensky told Fox News: "The rhetoric of President Trump was not just severe it was just and fair. This is exactly what Putin is afraid of. He doesn't want strong Trump supporting Ukraine because it would be a strong Ukraine."
Zelensky also said: "During the big invasion, Ukrainians were left on their own, and we were fighting on our own."
Donald Trump said on Truth Social: "Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous War! IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE. If we don't make a 'deal,' and soon, I have no other choice but to put high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States, and various other participating countries."
What Happens Next
Trump has promised to end the Russia-Ukraine war soon but without saying how, although his aides have suggested that a deal could take months. Trump said he is willing to speak to Putin, and while there is hope that he could prompt a diplomatic resolution, Kyiv fears a quick peace deal could come at a high price for Ukraine.
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