Trump Warns Zelensky Against ‘A War You Can’t Win’ as West Continues Heavy Support

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, issuing a sharp rebuke during remarks on Monday, where he questioned Ukraine’s ability to win the war and mocked Zelensky’s repeated appeals for Western weapons.

Speaking at a political event, Trump said:
“He is always looking to buy missiles. Look, when you start a war, you should know that you are capable of winning. Don’t start a war against someone twenty times bigger than you and then hope that people will give you some missiles.”

The statement, delivered on Monday afternoon, immediately drew international attention and reignited concerns about the future of U.S. support for Ukraine.

A Continuation of Trump’s Sharp Tone on Ukraine

The Monday remarks were not an isolated moment. Trump has regularly criticized Zelensky throughout the past year, questioning the scale of Western military aid and warning that Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles risks “dangerous escalation.” He has accused Zelensky of being “constantly desperate for missiles” and has suggested that Zelensky bears partial responsibility for the war’s devastation — a claim strongly rejected by Kyiv and European leaders.

U.S. and Europe’s Support to Ukraine

According to multiple sources:

• The U.S. has committed approximately US $128 billion in direct aid to Ukraine, according to the Kiel Institute.

• From February 2022 to June 2025, the U.S. committed €114.64 billion (about US $134 billion) in total support.

• The U.S. has provided US $66.9 billion in military assistance alone since Russia’s full-scale invasion.

• The European Union and its 27 Member States have provided nearly US $197 billion in financial, military, humanitarian and refugee assistance.

These figures underscore the massive scale of Western support to Kyiv — even as debates continue over the future of aid deliveries.

Zelensky’s Response and Kyiv’s Position

President Zelensky has not responded directly to Monday’s comments, but officials in Kyiv have expressed concern that Trump’s escalating rhetoric could weaken Washington’s commitment at a critical moment. Ukraine remains heavily reliant on Western air-defence systems, artillery ammunition and long-range strike weapons, all of which depend on continued U.S. and European backing.

Ukrainian lawmakers reiterated that Russia launched the full-scale invasion, and that Ukraine is defending its sovereignty with the support of international partners.

Political and Strategic Implications

Trump’s latest statement — delivered just ahead of key U.S. congressional deliberations on Ukraine aid — comes at a time when American domestic support is wavering and Europe faces pressure to potentially fill future gaps. Some analysts warn that a reduction in U.S. aid could force European allies to significantly increase their own military assistance.

European officials remain wary. While financial support is high, their industrial capacity is under strain, and questions remain about whether Europe can keep pace with Ukraine’s battlefield needs.

Russia, meanwhile, has welcomed the remarks. State media portrayed Trump’s comments as evidence of “fractures in the U.S.–Ukraine alliance.”

A Strained Relationship Growing More Public

Monday’s outburst further highlights the deteriorating relationship between Trump and Zelensky. The two leaders have previously clashed over aid, battlefield strategy and Western involvement in the war. For Ukraine, the timing of Trump’s criticism could not be worse. Russian forces continue pushing across multiple fronts, and Kyiv remains deeply dependent on Western weapons and financial support.

As the war enters another difficult phase and the flow of weapons becomes increasingly critical, Trump’s Monday remarks signal an increasingly uncertain future for one of Ukraine’s most vital alliances. The political and military consequences may unfold in Washington, Brussels and Kyiv in the months ahead.