The Wall Street Journal: Donald Trump called Ukraine “part of Russia” in talks with European leaders

During his presidency, Donald Trump has criticized Ukraine for corruption and called it “part of Russia,” The Wall Street Journal reported, citing White House officials.

According to them, Trump has repeatedly described Ukraine as “totally corrupt” and full of “terrible people”.

In 2017, Putin urged Trump to recognize Russia’s territorial claims to parts of Ukraine, citing Russia’s ties to Kievan Rus.

After that, Trump began to frequently complain about American support for Ukraine, calling it “your Ukraine” and “part of Russia” in conversations with European leaders.

Trump is convinced that Ukraine interfered in the 2016 presidential election, which he won.

He opposed the sale of missiles and “lethal aid” to Ukraine, saying Europeans must do more to protect their neighbors. His entourage assured Kiev that the request would be considered when Trump was “in a good mood.” So it is with the Javelin transfer — the document was brought to Trump for signature after Congress approved the president’s tax reform bill. And he signed it.

In 2017, he did not want to meet with President Poroshenko, but eventually agreed. Poroshenko, knowing this, agreed to buy American coal from a Pennsylvania company.

But Trump’s attitude towards Ukraine still remains constantly negative, “Focus” recalls. In June 2018, at the G7 dinner in Canada, he said that Ukraine is “one of the most corrupt countries in the world.”