Donald Trump blames Biden and Zelensky for millions of deaths in Ukraine war

In the United States, Donald Trump publicly accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Joe Biden of sharing responsibility for the Ukraine war, suggesting their incompetence has contributed to the conflict's massive death toll. This accusation follows a critical missile strike in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy on April 13, 2025, that resulted in the deaths of at least 35 people, including children, marking one of the deadliest attacks of the ongoing war. Trump stated that his concerns were partly due to an earlier disagreement with Zelensky and his view of the Ukrainian leadership's decisions. During remarks in the Oval Office on April 14, Trump continued to express skepticism regarding Zelensky's strategic decisions, arguing that Ukraine should not have initiated conflict against a significantly larger Russian military force. He stated that starting a war without certainty of victory was ill-advised. The critique came amidst ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire, with Trump insisting that a resolution to the ongoing violence was achievable, eviscerating Zelensky's calls for more military support while accusing him of relying on external aid to maintain Ukraine’s defense. The developments between Trump and Zelensky have been marked by tension, particularly in light of Trump's comments echoing Russian perspectives and questioning Ukraine's handling of the war. Following a series of discussions and Zelensky's overtures to improve relations, the situation escalated as Trump emphasized that the responsibility for millions of deaths falls on both Biden and Zelensky in contrast to what he termed ignorance on their part. The strikes on Ukrainian cities and the subsequent discussions illustrate the ongoing volatility in U.S.-Ukraine relations and the international response to the ongoing conflict. As discussions of potential peace negotiations continue, conservative commentators echo Trump’s sentiments regarding Zelensky's apparent decision-making flaws, posing challenges for diplomatic dialogues. While diplomatic efforts are underway, Trump remains a critic of what he calls ineffective strategies employed by the Ukrainian leadership and American foreign policy regarding Ukraine's military needs, further complicating the landscape for both nations as they navigate this conflict.