WASHINGTON – In a surprising reversal, U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged on Friday that Russia did, in fact, invade Ukraine—contradicting his earlier statement that Ukraine “should have never started” the war.
Speaking to Fox News Radio, Trump confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion but criticized both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and former U.S. President Joe Biden for not preventing it.
“Russia attacked, but they shouldn’t have let him attack,” Trump said.
The shift in stance comes as Trump hinted at a forthcoming minerals agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine, suggesting a deal could be signed soon.
“We’re signing an agreement, hopefully in the next fairly short period of time,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
Tensions Over U.S. Demands for Ukraine’s Resources
Ukraine possesses rich deposits of strategic minerals, including uranium, lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements—critical for technology and defense industries. Zelenskiy previously rejected a U.S. demand for $500 billion worth of mineral wealth as repayment for wartime aid, arguing that U.S. support has not reached that level and lacks concrete security guarantees.
Despite tensions, Zelenskiy confirmed that Ukrainian and U.S. teams are working on a draft agreement.
“I am hoping for … a fair result,” he stated in a video address.
Concerns Over Peace Talks and U.S. Support
Trump’s evolving stance has alarmed European leaders, fueling concerns that Kyiv may be pressured into a peace deal favoring Russia. Trump previously called Zelenskiy a “dictator” and urged him to secure peace quickly or risk losing his country.
While Trump has been openly critical of Zelenskiy, he has refrained from making negative remarks about Putin.
“I’ve had very good talks with Putin, and I’ve had not such good talks with Ukraine,” Trump remarked.
UN Resolution and Diplomatic Moves
On Friday, the U.S. proposed a United Nations resolution to mark the third anniversary of the war, calling for a swift end to the conflict. Meanwhile, European allies, including Germany and Poland, are pushing for Ukraine to have a direct role in peace negotiations.
Polish President Andrzej Duda, a longtime ally of Trump, is set to meet him in Washington on Saturday to discuss the situation further.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the future of Ukraine’s sovereignty, U.S. support, and relations with Europe remain uncertain.