In his speech, a day after he paused all military aid to Ukraine, Trump said he had just received a letter from Zelenskyy in which the Ukrainian president said he was “ready” for peace negotiations and could sign a US-Ukraine minerals sharing deal “any time”.
“Simultaneously, we’ve had serious discussions with Russia and have received strong signals that they are ready for peace,” Trump said. “Wouldn’t that be beautiful?”
The pause in aid threatened Kyiv’s efforts to defend against Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion three years ago, and further rattled European leaders worried that Trump is moving the US too far toward Moscow.
While Trump has appeared to fault Ukraine for starting the war, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll found 70 per cent of Americans – including two-thirds of Republicans – say Russia was more to blame.
Trump also doubled down on his controversial vows on “taking back” the Panama Canal and getting Greenland from Denmark “one way or another”.
“We’d welcome you in the US if you choose,” Trump said. “We will keep you safe, we will make you rich, and together we will take Greenland to heights you never thought possible before.”
TO MARS … AND BEYOND
As his speech wound down, Trump touched on his attempted assassination last year at a rally in Pennsylvania.
“I was saved by God to make America great again,” Trump repeated.
He then moved to laud America’s past, present and future, emphasising that “the golden age of America” had only just begun.
“We are a country of doers, dreamers, fighters and survivors,” said Trump, proclaiming that the US will also lead humanity into space and plant its flag on Mars “and even far beyond”.
“This will be our greatest area … we will fight, fight, fight for the country our citizens believe in, and the country our citizens deserve.”
