On Tuesday night, former President Donald Trump criticized President Joe Biden’s leadership during global conflicts, particularly the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. When asked directly whether he supports Ukraine in its fight against Russia, Trump avoided a clear answer, instead promising to end the conflict before his potential second term begins if he wins the election.
“I want the war to stop. I want to save lives,” Trump emphasized, while suggesting the true toll of the conflict is far worse than reported. He also highlighted his relationships with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, claiming mutual respect from both leaders. “They respect your president — OK? They respect me,” Trump added.
When asked if it would be in the best interest of the U.S. for Ukraine to win, Trump expressed that a swift negotiation is necessary to halt the destruction of human lives, insisting that a peaceful resolution is crucial.
In his speech, Trump also took a shot at Democrats, accusing them of pushing Biden to withdraw from the race and treating him poorly. He criticized Biden’s current state, saying, “We have a president … we don’t even know if he’s a president. They threw him out of his campaign like a dog.”
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris weighed in during a discussion on election integrity, labeling Trump as a “laughing stock” on the global stage. She remarked, “World leaders are laughing at Donald Trump. I’ve spoken with military leaders, some of whom worked with him, and they say he’s a disgrace.”
As both figures ramp up their rhetoric, the upcoming election is set to be a heated battle with significant focus on global leadership and foreign policy.