In a series of recent interviews, former President Donald Trump shared his views on foreign policy, particularly regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine and nuclear negotiations with Iran. These discussions took place during interviews with Time, The Atlantic, and NBC’s Meet the Press, where Trump provided some of his most pointed comments yet.
Regarding the war in Ukraine, Trump made several bold claims. He stated that Ukraine would never join NATO, saying, “I don’t think they’ll ever be able to join NATO.” This aligns with a recent U.S. peace plan that confirms Ukraine will not seek NATO membership. He also suggested that NATO’s discussions about Ukraine joining the alliance led to Russia’s invasion, a point that has been echoed by officials from both Ukraine and NATO.
Trump was clear about territorial issues as well. He asserted that “Crimea will stay with Russia,” and his peace plan includes recognizing Russian control over certain territories in the Donbas region. When asked what Russia would have to give up, he claimed, “Russia will have to give up all of Ukraine,” adding that he believed his involvement had prevented a larger conflict.
On the topic of negotiations, Trump indicated that he might walk away from talks if they did not yield results. He stated, “There will be a time when I will say, ‘Okay, keep going. Keep being stupid and keep fighting.’” This suggests a willingness to step back from diplomatic efforts if they seem futile.
Shifting focus to Iran, Trump expressed optimism about negotiating a nuclear deal, but his stance appeared to evolve over time. Initially, he aimed for limits on Iran’s civilian nuclear program, but by his latest interview, he demanded “total dismantlement” of Iran’s nuclear capabilities. He maintained that “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” but he also indicated some openness to discussing civilian nuclear energy, though he expressed skepticism about its necessity given Iran’s oil resources.
Trump also made headlines with his remarks about U.S. territorial expansion. He stated he wouldn’t mind being remembered as a president who expanded American territory, specifically mentioning Canada and Greenland. He claimed Canada could be the 51st state, insisting that the U.S. doesn’t need anything from Canada, while suggesting that Canada needs the U.S. more. When asked about the possibility of using military force to take Canada, he downplayed the likelihood but left the door open for potential actions regarding Greenland.
These interviews highlight Trump’s controversial positions on foreign policy issues, revealing a mix of assertiveness and ambiguity. As he navigates these complex topics, his statements continue to stir debate and concern among political analysts and the public alike.