Trump: Russia Has Done Nothing In Iran
Trump says Zelensky should have settled the war long ago and it may be time for someone else to negotiate for Ukraine, confirms the trilateral summit with Putin and Xi would focus on denuclearization not Ukraine, and says Russia could have done way more to help Iran but chose not to.
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - President Donald Trump said on a gaggle with Journalists in White house on Monday , that the United States is hitting Iran very hard economically and militarily, that Russia and China have done very little for Iran which he described as a very positive thing, that he is ready to meet Putin and Xi in China in November primarily for denuclearization talks, and that Zelensky should have had the Ukraine war settled a long time ago and that it may be time for someone else to negotiate on Ukraine’s behalf.
“We’re hitting Iran very hard, as you know, economically as well as militarily,” Trump told reporters. “Russia has done nothing there that we can see, and I think that’s a very positive. Russia could have done a lot more to help Iran. China could have done a lot more for Iran. They’ve done, maybe nothing, almost, but very little for Iran, and I remember that when China does not that much for Iran, and Russia does very little for Iran, I view that as being a very positive thing.”
The Trilateral Summit: Denuclearization, Not Ukraine
Trump clarified the purpose of a potential meeting with Putin and Xi in China, directly addressing reports that the summit would focus on ending the Ukraine war. “No, but I would do it not so much for Ukraine because Russia, frankly, has been fine on Ukraine,” Trump said. “We would have it to talk about nuclear weapons and denuclearization. Any time I can have a meeting on denuclearization, I would do that. We have more nuclear weapons than anybody. Russia is second. China is third, but catching up. China was way behind and now they’re catching up. It’ll take about probably five years. We would schedule a meeting based on the denuclearization, and that’s a very positive thing for the world.”
Trump confirmed the summit would likely be held in China. “I just heard about it. If President Xi wants to have it, I’d have it. I’m sure we’re talking about other things like trade too. But yeah, I would do that,” he said, adding he would be in China in November for the APEC summit.
On Russia And The Sanctions Waiver
Trump defended the Graham Act Russia sanctions waiver by framing it within four simultaneous negotiating tracks. “I’m negotiating with them on Ukraine. Also, I’m negotiating with them on Iran because they’ve been very well behaved on Iran. Also, I’m negotiating with them on hostages, and I’m also negotiating on diesel,” Trump said. “When you’re negotiating, you don’t do that. I have the right to do it at any time, immediately. So if things don’t work out, I can always do it.”
On Russia’s potential to help Iran more, Trump was direct. “Russia could have done way more to help. If you put it bluntly, Russia could have done a lot more to help Iran if they wanted.”
Zelensky: Should Have Settled Long Ago
Trump was pointed in his criticism of the Ukrainian president. “Zelensky doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Zelensky is a man that should have had this war settled a long time ago. If he would have listened to me, he would have made a much better deal a long time ago, and he’d have a million people living from his side,” Trump said.
He cited casualty figures as his primary motivation. “They’re losing probably on average 25 to 35,000 soldiers every single month. Last month it was 32,000. I don’t want to see 32,000 soldiers dead. All I want is for Russia and Ukraine to stop that stupid war.”
Trump added: “I think it’s time for somebody else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine, because what’s happened? Very little land has moved, but a million people, a tremendous number of people, are dead. They’re losing their male population.”
On whether he would meet Putin and Xi without Zelensky present, Trump said: “Whatever I can do to end the war, whether somebody’s there or not.”
France, Europe, And Immigration
Trump weighed in on the violent riots sweeping France and Italy, blaming immigration policy entirely. “What’s happening in France has to do with immigration, not schools, not anything,” he said. “They let people in by the millions who don’t love their country, their buildings, their art, their people. If Europe doesn’t close its borders and bring the criminals out, Europe is finished. They will not have a chance of survival.”
He said he has been warning European leaders including Macron for years. “I told him the first time I met him: close up your borders. You’re going to ruin your country. And they’ve ruined their country.”